Modernization of Russia and its Selected Dimensions
Modernization of Russia and its Selected Dimensions

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this article is to provide a closer look at the internal conditions of the political, economic and social modernisation of Russia as one of the basic (and necessary) prerequisites for the realisation of its foreign policy ambitions particularly in the area of economic integration of the post-Soviet space. The internal changes within the Russian Federation are presented in their historical context based on the descriptions, empirical experience and interpretation of the events of the past decennium, while identification of the processes involved since 2007 is sought through the analytical approach. These processes have been labelled by the political and economic elite as well as a number of social scientists as the internal modernisation of Russia. Critics, however, speak about controlled, authoritarian or conservative modernisation. The study in this context analyses data that refer to high economic dependence on energy resources and little consideration for innovation. The author in so doing points to the fact that the current form of internal modernisation of the Russian state managed from “above”, does not impair the rooted state – the centric philosophical and political concept not the economic platform of state capitalism, but quite the opposite, it petrifies, even strengthens it. Furthermore, in combination with the absence of reform within the political system the possibility for successful completion of the whole upgrading process is significantly limited.

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