Geopolitical code and images of geopolitical actors in the consciousness of the Kaliningrad region’s population

The authors study the geopolitical code and symbolic images of key geopolitical actors (China, the USA and the European Union) in the consciousness of the population of the Kaliningrad region. The interest in this case study is conditioned by the exclave position of the region, which aggravated the socio-economic problems caused by the growth of international tensions. The methodological basis of the presented research is the concept of geopolitical code of C. Flint. It provides answers to the following research questions: which countries, in the opinion of the region’s residents, are Russia’s current and potential allies/enemies? How to keep allies and attract new ones? How to resist enemies and prevent the emergence of new ones? The empirical basis of the study was the results of a mass survey (n=979) and eight focus groups with residents of the Kaliningrad region (n=61). Based on the generalisation of the obtained data, the authors identified similarities and differences of the geopolitical code inherent in the region’s residents belonging to different age groups. The authors also discovered the peculiarities of symbolic images of key geopolitical allies and adversaries in the perception of the residents of the Kaliningrad region. The image of China is predominantly positive, including such characteristics as strength, kindness and wisdom. The images of the USA and the EU are predominantly negative. The image of the USA is perceived as strong and aggressive, the image of the EU – as weak and passive. The latter is conditioned by the widespread opinion about the subordinate position of the EU before the USA, as well as about the internal political inconsistency of its members’ actions.

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