Marina Bykova - Russian Anti-Progressivism and Its Origins

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Marina Bykova - Russian Anti-Progressivism and Its Origins (20/05/2024)

Marina Bykova is PhD, professor at the University of North Carolina (USA), chief editor of the journal Studies in East Europwan Thought and member of the IPhI.

The author sees in the rise of anti-modernist sentiment in modern Russia not only an attempt to “stop modernity” (Alexander Etkind) or to push back modernity, but also symptoms of a more fundamental problem, namely Russia’s resistance to progress, which is deeply rooted in its historical development, political structures and cultural values. A hostile attack on Ukraine, which has embarked on the path of modernization, clearly demonstrates Russia's anti-progressive tendencies.

The author believes that one of the main reasons for Russia’s stubborn adherence to archaism and its overt anti-progressivism is related to the Russian Enlightenment, which remained largely unrealized. Unlike in Europe, where progress led to modern values, innovation and social change, the Russian Enlightenment championed traditionalism, making it the dominant state ideology and a major source of resistance to the achievements of the European Enlightenment.

Видео Marina Bykova - Russian Anti-Progressivism and Its Origins канала Independent Institute of Philosophy