The Second Russian Revolution in historical perspective

Abstract

The Second Russian Revolution, an event that took place between 1989 and 1992 and led to a radical transformation of social and economic relations and the political system in Russia, the separation of the Union republics, is compared to four major revolutions of the past: the American, French, Chinese, and First Russian revolutions. Particular attention is paid to two concepts of modern political economy: first, binding commitments, the impossibility of which in the context of power struggles explains why attempts to reform the political system on the eve of revolutions were unsuccessful; second, coordinated action by large numbers of individuals in the absence of common interests or any organizing structure. This helps to understand the mechanism of the events of 1989—1992, which is poorly described in the logic of group interests, and even less so in terms of class interests.