Minarchism as a Philosophical Basis for the Convergence of the Right and Liberal Segments of the Non-Systemic Opposition in Russia

Abstract

The article examines the question of the convergence factors for the right and liberal segments of the non-systemic opposition in Russia on the basis of minarchism as the philosophical fundament. The methodology of the work is built on a combination of structural and comparative analysis. The authors reveal the relation between the classical variant of the minarchism philosophy and its form transformed by the public opinion leaders within the non-systemic opposition. The authors come to conclusion that minarchism plays the role of the basis for the ideological unification of the right and liberal segments of the non-systemic opposition now. At the same time the oppositionists mainly adopted not the orthodox form of minarchism, but its vulgarized version, within which the original concept was reworked in the key of elitism and social Darwinism. This variation of minarchism is actually a political myth, the functions of which is to stigmatize the loyalists and strengthen in-group favoritism of the current government’s opponents. The features of this myth make it possible to dehumanize supporters of the existing system and at the same time construct a positive image of the future which is based on consumer values and achieving false justice according to the principles of market agonism.