Description

The Problem of ‘Alternativeness’ in Russia’s Past, Present, and Eventual Future

The author outlines the imperatives and elements faced by post-Soviet Russia that provide the historical opportunity for a different development. One alternative for overcoming the structural crisis combines the market with political democracy and social and national defense, aiming at a mixed economy. This “social democratic” (or social conservative) option is less polarizing and, more fundamentally, does not create authoritarian structures that Russia has limited chances of overcoming. The social democratic option there better fits the imperatives (objectives, ideals, models) of a transition imposed by the crisis of industrial civilization, of overcoming its inertia and finding more advanced solutions within this transition.

Russia — history, Russia — politics, authoritarianism, Communist Party — Russia, socialism, history of, Gorbachev, Mikhail, Yeltsin, Boris, capitalism

Citation: Social Justice Vol. 23, Nos. 1-2 (1996): 120-144