Bogdanov I.Ya. Problems of inequality in society with changing electoral cycles. Social and humanities knowledge. 2026. No. 5. Pp. 403-407.

Текст статьи/выпуска на сайте журнала URL: https://socgum-journal.ru/archive/68230/ (дата обращения 03.11.2026)

Abstract

This article examines how the dynamics of social inequality are linked to changes within electoral cycles. Its relevance stems from the growing polarization of society and the crisis of representativeness of political institutions in developed democracies, which necessitates a reconsideration of classical views on elections as a mechanism of social correction. The aim is to systematize theoretical approaches and empirical data on how inequality influences voter behavior, as well as the feedback effects of election cycles on social structure, taking into account the technological evolution of communications over the past three decades. Methodologically, the work relies on secondary data analysis from comparative studies published in the sociological and political science literature. The results demonstrate that high levels of inequality reduce turnout among low-income and low-education groups, exacerbating the imbalance of representation in politics in favor of the elites. It is found that in countries with majoritarian systems, the disproportionality of representation is more pronounced than in proportional systems, which leads to the preservation of socioeconomic inequality and a decline in trust in institutions. A “vicious circle” model is proposed, describing a cyclical relationship: inequality generates inequality in participation, which leads to inequality in representation, which is then enshrined in laws, reinforcing the original inequality. It is shown that technological shifts modify the mechanisms of this circle, giving electoral processes a new ideological meaning. It is argued that institutional adjustments are needed to break this cycle and restore elections to their corrective function under the new technological regime.