On the Nature of Conservatism and Progressivism in Social thought of Russia in the Period of 1826–1848

The article examines the question of the relationship between conservative and progressist features in Russian socio-political thought of the second quarter of the 19th century (between the Decembrist uprising of 1825 and the European revolutions of 1848). The author examines the views of public figures in comparison with the views of the most significant government dignitaries. The author concludes that the modern ideological spectrum (implying a clear division into such directions as conservatism, liberalism, etc.) in Russia of that time, in general, did not take the exact shape yet. The dominant trend in public thought was the idea of the leading force of the monarchy in the development of Russia, which, if necessary, could initiate a revolution from above. That made Russia significantly different from other European countries. The question was in the participation of social forces in such processes. Anti-government ideas were extremely poorly represented, usually taking on a radical utopian form, and their bearers preferred to do this in emigration.