Special aspects of formation of legal awareness in an information society: The role of mindset

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to study informatization and digitalization of society which transform social life of people, opening up new vistas for expanding and deepening competences, knowledge and skills. In the context of the research, attention was given to special aspects and the need to search for ways and means of formation of legal awareness in an information society. Design/Methodology/Approach: Institutionalization of culture of the social order, where the creation and use of information is recognized as the main development factor, is largely taken into account in the state policy of the information society. This serves as a basis for forming new sociocultural elements and making changes in the functioning of all areas of society with a focus on values, knowledge, and technologies related to the acquisition and consumption of information, and norms of digital culture. Findings: Legal culture and legal awareness as part of it constitute a condition for the development of the information society. Legal and informational relations arising from informatization, digitalization and IT development are reflected in legal awareness. The features of formation of legal awareness are related to the characteristics of society's mindset. The development of legal awareness of the citizens of the information society in Russia is affected by the mindset which has developed in the context of rigid vertical of power, ambiguous attitude towards power, and the underdevelopment of civil society. Originality/Value: The authors have found that the development of legal awareness of the citizens of the information society in Russia is affected by the mindset which has developed in the context of rigid vertical of power, ambiguous attitude towards power, and the underdevelopment of civil society. It was proved that morality, virtue is an acknowledged element of mindset for the Russian population, which serves as a criterion of public relations.