Progressive Elites, Conservative Workers. Traditional Values from the Position of Class Analysis

Abstract

The article examines the meaning and role of traditional values in modern society from the standpoint of class analysis. It is shown that Marxism and class analysis are usually associated today with Modernity and everything that is opposed to the traditional foundations of society. According to the author, this correctly characterizes, first of all, various variations of Western neo- and post-Marxism, as well as left-wing concepts that are influenced by Western Marxism. Today, there are more and more reasons to believe that Western left-wing agendas associated with systematic attacks on traditional values (woke ideology, radical feminism, gender theories, etc.) are promoted primarily by representatives of the new elites ­— the professional or educated class. On the contrary, traditional values similar to those listed in official Russian documents (patriotism, priority of national interests, ethics of selfless work, family values) are either more often shared by representatives of the social “lower classes” (primarily the working class), or are the most important factor in their economic well-being. In this regard, an attempt is made to rethink class analysis as one of the instruments of constructive understanding, rather than criticism, of traditional values.