Moral Dramas and Paradoxes of Public Consciousness in Troubled Times (on the Fate of Russian Liberalism)

The sections of article are historical crossroads and “special paths”; ethics of liberalism in the latest soviet consciousness; bureaucratic mentality and liberalism; social roles are new, but actors the same; romantical period; moral price of economic transformation; negative psychological consequences; intuitive liberalism against of authoritarian pressure. The social ethical aspect of events during perestroika and several following years is a subject of the article. It had been the heydays of liberal ethical values, of romantic hopes and expectations and public demand for justice and honesty of authorities. Unfortunately, substantial underestimation of moral factors' meaning in the reforming process engendered resulting moral crisis, general disappointment in liberalism and other long-term negative consequences. Acquirement of intellectual and political liberties coincided of time with catastrophic economic situation and urgent necessity of hard measures conduct. It had been made and saved the country from economic collapse but for high political price The paradox of double, contradictory treatment of liberalism both in Soviet intellectual and bureaucratic circles is described. Exorbitant continuity of former soviet administrative personnel engendered moral anomy, identity crisis and alienation among them because inherited officials proved to be unprepared both morally and professionally for work in principally other situation of transit. It promoted development of systemic corruption. The phenomenon of deceived trust is mentioned. In concluding part of the article author turns to contemporary situation and founds in it a certain ground for optimism. It based on revival of demand for social justice and unwillingness to tolerate absence of it more. Public protest considers in this context as a normal element of social activity and political participation, as precondition for civil society existence. Such form of liberal values revival, intuitive sometimes, as forming of horizontal connections and parallel nonpolitical structures in different areas of social life, what makes them maximally independent from state bureaucracy, is marked.