Politics of Modernization

Abstract

While the world is engaged in a process of rethinking its principles and values in the face of increasing disparities, growing chaos, and conflicts (ideological, political, economic, social, etc.), for Russia, it is important not only to join the global economy as an active participant but also to find ways of building a so-called civilized consensus on its path of development. Russia must deal with challenges that are not only global but also internal in origin. The challenges of an increasingly complex Russian society are associated with long-term, unresolved Russian problems (relationship between the center and the regions, issues of social justice, corruption, weak legal institutions, etc.). The elaboration of new strategies of development in a changing world community inevitably raises the question of modernization on the basis of new values and ideological orientations. It is no coincidence that the keyword of current political discourse in Russia is modernization. In Russia’s case, broad definitions of modernization, in our view, are most appropriate. For example, philosopher Vitaly Tolstykh defines modernization as a country’s readiness to respond to the challenges of the globalization era in all spheres of life—economic, science, engineering and technology, social, cultural spheres.¹ Therefore, modernization implies movement to a new modernity of the twenty-first century, and therefore this chapter focuses on new strategies of Russian modernization.

Financial support from the Nomura Foundation and the University of Niigata Prefecture is gratefully acknowledged.