P. L. Lavrov on the social history of revolutionary ideas in Russia and North America in the late 18th century

The research aims to reveal the interconnectedness between socio-historical analysis and reconstruction within the context of the history of ideas regarding the revolutionary events of the late 18th century in Russia and North America, as presented in the works of P. L. Lavrov, a prominent theorist of Russian populism. The article examines Lavrov’s views as a social historian of ideas, focusing on the intellectual content of liberation ideas in the late 18th century. The scientific novelty lies in the specific research perspective that combines approaches from social history and the history of ideas in analyzing the theoretical legacy of representatives of Russian populism, exemplified by Lavrov’s works. As a result of the research, the author concludes that P. L. Lavrov interprets the social history of liberation ideas within the context of the populist discourse about the societal ideal. Lavrov highlights the egalitarianism of Ye. Pugachev’s slogans, while presenting the liberation ideas of the Enlightenment as being geared towards the interests of the few.