Russia＇s Social Transformation： Contradictions and Problems

Soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the political elites of Russia described for the general public a bright future based on Western values: transition from highly centralized planning economic system to market economy via shock therapy, development from highly centralized political system to “democratic system” by implementing “separation of powers,” development from underdevelopment of social functions to “civil society” by fostering the middle-class in order to achieve economic prosperity,