Kharichev Alexander D.

The article explores the idea of trust as an alternative analytical approach to legitimacy for examining power relations in Russia. Unlike Western models of legitimacy, trust is viewed here as not only a rational characteristic but also one that incorporates emotional and value-based elements. The author emphasizes the important role that trust plays in the formation of social capital and its influence on government stability. The paper examines a multilevel model of trust, taking into account value-based, practical, and institutional factors. This provides a deeper understanding of the interaction between society and the government in the Russian context.