THE MAKING OF SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ACTORS IN POSTCOMMUNIST RUSSIA

Under what conditions can social actors, in the broadest sense of the phrase, arise in post-Communist Russia? Two types of problems are pointed out : those related to the destruction of the former system, even though large parts of it subsist; and those related to the construction of a modern state and an active political system. Research about new union leaders, entrepreneurs, grass-roots political activists and ecologist-protestors shows how limited any economic, cultural or social action is that is not also political. But can the political be combined with the rest ?