Defining Russian Liberalism

This chapter begins with a brief overview of theoretical literature on the general topic of liberalism, followed by a discussion on the specifics of liberalism in Russia. The chapter looks at the name “liberalism”, which derives from liberty and encompasses the idea that the interests of the person require the person to be free. It also emphasizes that all types of liberalism accept in principle the idea that all persons are of equal moral value. The chapter analyzes the Russian liberals' complex relationship with the Russian people, which has led to an equally complex relationship with the state and the idea of political reform. It covers the two main streams of Russian political liberalism: radical liberalism and conservative liberalism.