Liberals or Technocrats? Liberal Ideas and Values in the Mindset of the Russian Political Elite

Abstract

This chapter considers the political influence of liberalism in contemporary Russia, pointing out some of its hidden potential. The most salient aspect here is the considerable share of the population inclined to economic liberalism. Furthermore, so-called “system liberals” exist in the Russian government and in some public and economic bodies. Openness, integration into the global economy and the adoption of international rules are both implicit and explicit imperatives of this group. This is arguably the only group in the Russian elite with a coherent mindset, ideologically motivated goals, managerial capacity and trust from the West. We may observe in the future a new coming of liberals as saviors of the Russian economy and architects of bridges to the West. But even such a hypothetical shift won’t promise a rapid democratization of Russia as a whole.