Criticism of Western Modernization in Russian Thought and Its Consonance to Modernity

Abstract

During the process of globalization, western countries represented by the United States and the United Kingdom have been advocating the so-called “universal” development mode. In response to western modernization, there has always been a “counter-enlightenment” trend in Russia’s cultural tradition. The fight between Slavophils and Western faction is not only a choice between two development paths, but also a confrontation between two civilizations. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the failure of shock therapy, traditional Russian thought has received renewed attention in contemporary times facing the current devel­opment status of Russia. Attempts have been made to construct a civilization with Russian national characteristics, so as to surpass the development of West­ern capital modernity. The works of Vladimir S. Soloviev, Nikolai A. Berdyaev, Nikolai Ya. Danilevsky formulate both the discrepancies between the founda­tions of Russian culture and the models of Westernization introduced from out­side, as well as the general principles of preserving cultural diversity in the world; many of their ideas find support and continuation in the works of modern Rus­sian philosophers, including Andrey V. Smirnov. There are some commonalities between the “Russian reflection” on Western modernization and the “Chinese wisdom” that China is now building.