Retrospective Study of Marxism in Contemporary Russia

Introduction. The spread of Marxism in Russia was shaped by a complex set of socio-economic factors, above all the development of capitalist production based on the exploitation of wage labor, the growth of the proletariat, and the intensification of contradictions between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. An important role was also played by the formation of class self-consciousness among the working class, manifested in the struggle for its own interests and the creation of professional organizations. A substantial contribution to the scientific and practical development of Marxism was made by V. I. Lenin, who regarded it not only as a theoretical doctrine but also as a political current serving as an instrument for achieving concrete political goals. During the Soviet period, Marxist thought acquired an institutionalized form and became widely disseminated. After the collapse of the USSR, a phase of critical reassessment of Marxism began in the former Soviet republics. In contemporary Russia, two mutually exclusive tendencies can be identified: on the one hand, a consistent critique of Marxism; on the other, the continued recognition of its relevance as a theoretical and political doctrine.
Materials and methods. The source base of the study can be conventionally divided into two groups: works aimed at criticizing Marxism and studies proposing its renewed interpretation in the context of contemporary Russia. The methodological framework of the research is based on the institutional approach, as well as historical-critical and historical-comparative methods.
Results. The analysis reveals two opposing directions in the interpretation of Marxism in Russia. Criticism of Marxism is represented, first, by a right-wing discourse articulated by liberal and anti-communist authors, and second, by a left-wing strand formed by supporters of the communist idea. Studies oriented toward the rethinking of Marxism may also be divided into two types: «critical Marxism,» developed by theoretical continuators of the Marxist tradition, and «eclectic Marxism,» characteristic of works produced by representatives of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.
Conclusion. In contemporary Russia, Marxism has not disappeared. It continues to exist as a political movement, as an ideological doctrine, and as an object of scholarly analysis. The polarity of assessments of Karl Marx’s ideas—from their rejection as outdated to their recognition as relevant—indicates that Marxism continues to generate sustained interest within Russian social and academic discourse.