Russia is one of the world's most important countries which determine the course of history and life of the world community. For many centuries in the past Russia had decisively influenced crucial events in the history of Eurasia, and in the recent hundred years its activity has expanded to nearly worldwide. Suffice is to recall its support of the national liberation movements in former colonies and involvement in various armed conflicts in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Shortly after the end of the Second World War, where those who claimed world supremacy were defeated, a new opposition had formed, this time between the former allies, primarily between the Soviet Union and the United States. The opposition fueled the arms race and brought the world to a dangerous point where the threat of a global nuclear catastrophe was very high.
Russia is among the main contributors to the world treasury of literature, fine arts and music; also, Russia boasts outstanding achievements in research science and technology, geographical studies and sports.
In the early 20th century Russia went through radical changes in its system of government. The country rid itself of the ages-long totalitarian system, and made an attempt at actualizing the idea which had been ripening in the world for quite a while by then, the idea of creating a society of general welfare or socialism. In a certain sense it was kind of an alternative to the liberal democracies. Then, after the "experiment" failed, Russia launched perestroika, or restructuring of its system of government and system of economy using the countries with free market as a model. Several years that followed saw modifications of practically all state fundamentals; the reforms were so fast and radical that one can only be surprised (and happy) that the country managed to avoid collapse or anarchy. This was yet another crucial point in the world's contemporary history because had the things gone wrong in this part of the world (say, a civil war broke out) with all its nuclear arsenals, that could have been the end of the history of human civilization. If effect, what happened here was a bloodless bourgeois revolution. At least, its main result is clearly visible: A socialist system was replaced with a private-property-based one or a capitalist system and a radical re-division of property took place.
Now, after the end of the perestroika epoch, it is time to understand what we have achieved and what to do next. It is true that we have managed to make a step forward, but we are still lagging behind the West in technology, quality of life, basic freedoms, efficiency of legal system and a number of other aspects. It will obviously take Russia quite a time to catch up with the world leaders (perhaps, even to leave them behind in certain directions), to stop population decline, restore research science, radically reduce crime rate, overcome poverty and reduce the outrageously high top/bottom income ratio – 15/1 compared to 8/1 – 4/1 in the world's developed countries.
As regards Russia's national idea, here it is appropriate to recall that "gathering of lands" was one of its main components over many centuries in the past. (In fact, the same concept was part of national ideas of several other countries, however, Russia was more successful with that, and managed to exist in the form of a huge multinational country for a longer time.) At different times Russia's national idea was formulated in different ways, like "Autocracy, Orthodoxy and National Character" or "Russia – the Third Rome." After the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, the country promptly adopted new ideas – a world revolution followed by the creation and development of a community of socialist countries or "Socialist Camp." The slogan "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" was in harmony with the country's aspirations in that time. During the Great Patriotic War Russia had no goals but to defeat the enemy and preserve independence, and after the victory the goal was first to restore the country and then, in a longer run, to build communism.
Today, Russia's national idea is to finalize reforms, catch up with the world's leading countries, change the people's mentality and attitudes and preserve the country's statehood and territorial integrity. The main goals shall be identified as increase in the people's quality of life and life expectancy. Importantly, we should plan to achieve that these goals not somewhere in the distant future, not for the future generations but for the vast majority of those living today. Having pulled through numerous calamities, ideological vacillations, wars and cataclysms, the world civilization has long since arrived at the conclusion that the most important values are dignity, well-being, freedom and quality of life for each citizen. Sometimes Russia's national idea is formulated as "Ensuring well being for the citizens of Russia on the basis of economic development, social stability and environmental sustainability." The gist of this idea is "fighting poverty." Of course, for these goals to be reached the country should occupy its proper place in the world, a place it deserves due to the talent of its people and its natural riches.
