Modernization as a Concept of Contemporary Politology

Abstract

The proposed article deals with the problem of Russian modernization. It continues the discussion organized by the Department of political science and public administration of the Academy of national economy and civil service under the President of the Russian Federation (within the research project ”Modernization and political development of Russia” financed by the Russian State Scientific Foundation № 11-03-00278). The article raises the questions interesting the scholars: why the contemporary concept of modernization differs from the classical one; how we can estimate the «maximizing» and «minimizing» tendencies in the comprehension of modernization; can we really qualify as modernization any reform aimed at the achievement by the state of leadership position in the world; what kind of industrialization is necessary now to Russia; is it possible to agree that under globalization the level of the innovation economy becomes the principal sign of the successful modernization.