The Economic Development of the Russian State in the 17th–18th centuries: Modernization or Protomodernization

Abstract

The paper analyzes the economic processes in Russia in the 17th–18th centuries taking into account the main provisions of the modernization theory. The mentioned theory is the foundation of the methodological apparatus in this research, and regarding the indicated period it is interpreted in its classical formulation as a transition from a traditional (agrarian) society to a modern (industrial) one. Particular attention is paid to such features of the Russian modernization model as ‘catching up’ nature, as well as determination of the starting point, factor and mechanism of modernization processes in the national history. The correlation of the economic development of the Russian state and the main trends of transition from tradition to modernity is carried out on the basis of transformation of the key features inherent in the traditional economy into characteristics that are present in the market/mixed system. At the same time, the emphasis is made on such changes as transition of the priority position of agriculture to industry; presence of basic signs of industrial revolution; establishment of pluralism of ownership forms instead of the predominance of the collective-community; elimination of tendencies that distinguish natural economy; formation of basic principles of state regulation of economic relations; widespread functioning of the laws of value, supply and demand, as well as the competition mechanism; introducing freedom of the producer and consumer’s actions into mass practice. Based on these criteria, it is concluded that the Russian society of the 17th century should be characterized as a traditional society. The shifts that have emerged in the economy of the Russian Empire of the 18th century allow speaking only of protomodernization, since the industrial revolution was identified in a series of economic realities of the historical development of Russia not earlier than the 30s of the 19th century.