Civilizational representation of the elite-formation process in the doctrinal dimension and political practice

Introduction. The deepening and increasing complexity of transitional processes caused by a strategic rejection of the model of pro-Western socio-political convergence and a shift toward a course of comprehensive civilizational sovereignization characterize the current stage of development of Russian society and the state. The intensification of geopolitical confrontation, military-political risks, sanctions pressure, and internal structural imbalances has exacerbated the problem of the effectiveness of public administration and the quality of ruling elites. Under these circumstances, the substantive and value-oriented aspects of political and managerial agency become especially important, thereby enhancing the relevance of elitological concepts as essential instruments for analyzing and predicting political evolution. Of special scientific and practical relevance is the study of the civilizational conditionality of the elite-formation process and the possibilities of its transformation within the emerging model of the «state-civilization,» aimed at mobilizing the internal potential of Russian society and ensuring the long-term sustainability of national development.

The purpose of the study is to conceptualize the civilizational conditionality of the elite-formation process in contemporary Russia, as well as to identify the conditions for enhancing the effectiveness of political and managerial agency in the context of the strategy of state-civilizational sovereignization.

The methodological framework of the study is based on the political-elitological paradigm and the civilizational approach. The research employs methods of doctrinal analysis, comparative-historical and systems approaches, and the results of an interregional expert survey conducted in 2024, aimed at assessing the state and value orientations of contemporary Russian political elites.

Results. The study demonstrates that the previously dominant universalist elitological mainstream is losing its relevance under conditions of a shift in Russia’s political course. The authors present a critical assessment of the limitations of administrative-bureaucratic governance mechanisms and elites oriented toward private and situational interests. The necessity of a civilizational re-norming of the elite-formation process is substantiated, including the principles of public service, responsibility, professionalism, patriotism, and acmeological selection. The authors’ vision of civilizational elite specificity is presented as a key factor in unlocking the mobilization potential of Russian society.

Conclusions. The article argues that the successful implementation of the «state-civilization» model is impossible without the formation of civilizationally oriented political elites. The activation of the mobilization capabilities of Russian society based on civilizational identity and sovereignty is regarded as a necessary condition for overcoming contemporary and potentially emerging risks and threats.

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