The Problem of the Historical Path of Russia in Theory and Politics

Abstract

Objective. The main goal of this work is to analyze the main conceptual approaches to the problem of the historical path of Russia both in the field of theory and in official politics. This problem has been central in the domestic political and socio-philosophical discourse for many centuries. In recent years, there has been a noticeable interest in this topic by foreign authors, including A. Lynch, С. Miller, K.J. Mjor, A. Segrillo. Conclusions. In domestic science, there are three main conceptual approaches to the problem of the historical path of Russia: A universal (main) path, a unique (distinctive) path and an integral path. All these approaches at different historical stages of the development of the Russian state to a certain extent influenced state policy. The strongest influence on politics was exerted by the Marxist-Leninist concept of the transition from capitalism to socialism, which was viewed as the path of human development. The radical political and economic reforms of the 1990s were accompanied by a change in the concept of the main path: The path to democracy and a market economy was considered as such. The new concept at the political level combined universal human values and Russian traditions. As a result, reforms aimed at the transition to democracy and a market economy were accompanied by a change in the concept of the main path of humanity and the recognition of the need for Russia to accept universal human values while preserving domestic traditions. Originality/value. The paper attempts to compare three possible ways of Russia's development and to trace the mechanisms of their implementation in practical politics.