Russian philosophical thought and democracy

Abstract

The article discusses various aspects of understanding democracy by Russian thinkers of 19‒20 century. Special attention is paid to the viewpoint of the philosopher and legal expert P.I. Novgorodtsev. The problem of public ideals and, primarily, of the democratic ideal is explored. The value and relevance of the characteristics given by Russian philoso­phers to the democratic processes in the world and in the Russian history is justified. The author concludes that a philosophical analysis of the social-cultural foundations of a democratic development in the past and present is needed. The real complexity of the spiritual life of a society is a critical element of the usefulness of the historical being of this society (this also relates to the forms of a democratic organization).