The article substantiates the diff erence between political science and sociological approaches to the analysis of political identities of young people. The authors come to the conclusion that the sociological approach in most cases assumes that political identities of citizens are analyzed and interpreted by the researcher as relevant at the time of conducting sociological research as a resource and tool for political selfreproduction of the social system. The political science approach implies that political identities are studied from the perspective of probable and necessary changes in their content, as well as the political risks that may arise in the wake of such changes. In order to increase the accuracy of predicting further political participation of young citizens, it is important for a political scientist to identify how a young person sees his or her personal contribution to the implementation of identity changes, or to counteract them, which life-meaning guidelines (s)he is willing to sacrifi ce for the sake of participation in politics, and which ones (s)he is not.