The socioeconomic and sociopolitical orientations of Russia’s elites are compared with those of the country’s working class. These elites are groups of Russians who exert considerable influence over decisions about social and economic transformations. The study focuses on the views and opinions of three elite groups: members of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation, heads of regional administration and managing directors of industrial companies. Its main goal is to examine how their views correspond with those of ordinary Russians on such issues as the selection of a general model of transformation, the applicability of foreign models of transition from central planning to capitalism, the current socioeconomic situation, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and alternative strategies for establishing links within the former Soviet Union. The results are discussed.
