№ 5 - 2003
Volodin A.G.
Russia: Troubles of Inter-Stage Transition or Crisis of a Civilization?

The author deems it essential to premise his attempt to answer the question posed in the title of the article with the observation that traditional community arrangement of Russian socium is now enduring unprecedented strains redoubled by globalization processes. He then characterizes historical peculiarities of modernization in this country and, furthermore, points first of all to the absence of a formed middle class, formed civil society or “homo modernus”. The experience of post-Soviet economic transformations has confirmed the limited efficiency of market regulators, A.G.Volodin maintains. He affirms, moreover, that what is indicated for Russia is evolutionary way of renovating society and its main systems. This way, to be successfully travelled, presupposes availability of a State apparatus with a professional staff, and a system of political parties prepared to work jointly on the modernization project. On the whole, the author stresses, Russia stands a chance of overcoming civilizational crisis.