"The Andropov problem": to a sociological characterisation of the Soviet society

The topic of the article is problem “understanding” Soviet society, interpreted, however, not in line with so-called “understanding sociology”, but from point view a “portrait” approach to describing particular societies, that allows identify their characterological features and specifics. On basis complementarity principle formulated by N. Bohr, methodological issues implementing such an are considered, mainly terms integrating discourses languages for social reality. As starting model proposes take its dominant motivations sociocultural environment supports them. For this purpose concept motivating society introduced. nature being characterised on comparison sociological research materials, statistical data, assessments prominent figures judgments "ordinary people", as well author´s own observations. Based analysis these author proves system-forming everyday life fact bourgeois nature. At same time, against general background modernity, stood out special features, successively associated trends last decades existence Russian Empire peculiarities educational modernisation. First all, it attitude education erudition, we perceived instrumental, terminal values. Tracing dynamics intellectual spiritual needs over long historical intervals, considers formation towards cultural revolution. substantiates fundamentally new interpretation revolution, idea beginning revolution preceded political revolutions 1905 1917. value largely determined logic internal evolution during which specific forms sociality developed USSR, authors propose define education.