The Program of Alexander Shchipkov’s Social Tradition or Synthesis of Left Wing and Conservatism: Its Opportunities

Abstract

The article explores the concept of the social tradition and the program of the synthesis of the left wing and conservatism put forward by the political philosopher, publicist and public figure Alexander Shchipkov. These subjects are assessed as a logical and appropriate attempt to formulate a conservative ideology that would be actual for modern Russia while relying on the historical experience and social background of the country and corresponding to the Russian history of the 19th–20th centuries. The term “Social Tradition” is similar to the term “Synthesis of Left Wing and Conservatism”, where “social” is loaded with positive and moderate leftist content, as far as it can be deemed possible to combine it with traditional and historically conservative content. The term “tradition” can be characterized here by what is usually understood in this concept as conservatism. The paper notes the importance of the Soviet specifics and the correct assessment of the Soviet period of the Russian history for the successful possibility of this synthesis. The article briefly discusses the attempts of synthesis of socialism (left wing) and conservatism (tradition and traditionalism) that preceded in the history of the Russian social thought. It also points out a problem this program has: the left tradition demands the total equality, both economic and social, while the classical conservatism has always insisted on the principles of hierarchy and class stratification of the society. In this regard, the essential eclecticism of this program put forward by Alexander Shchipkov can be noted. At the same time, it is emphasized that the time of integral classical conservatism, which directly relied on religion and class stratification of the society, is now the irrevocable yesterday. Today, in a sense, we are condemned to eclectic conservatism and attempts to combine incompatible. Social traditionalism or synthesis of left wing and conservatism, firstly, takes the best from different ideologies, and, secondly, best corresponds to the Russian history of the 19th-20th centuries. The ideological integrity goes away along with the “age of ideologies”. The ideological eclecticism comes to replace it, and nobody knows for how long. This can be taken as a transition step to something new and yet unknown.