Russian reforms in the context of cognitive history theory

Abstract

Within the conceptual framework of cognitive theory the author presents a concept of social transformations based on information exchange - the target-oriented construction of the social reality in past and present. The paper focuses on cognitive logic of reforms, reconstructing the frames of general information, elaboration of dominant reform projects, the process of priorities selection, the modes of cognitive domination maintenance used by reform elites. On this ground the Russian reforms style is analyzed as the stable and self-reproductive cognitive stereotypes, the system of formal and informal institutional regulations, their transformation in the process of reforms, implementation of varied strategies and technologies of information control as precondition of the reforms’ success. The accumulation of historical experience provides the possibility to rethink the strategy of Russian reforms at the current stage.