The article discusses with topical issues of social history of Russia in the second half of the 19th — early 20th centuries on the example of one class. Active modernization processes in Russia changed not only the foundations of economic development, but also the collective consciousness. The "catch-up" type of modernization is usually associated with the peculiarities of the Russian economy and the dominance of state interests. Without denying this position, it should be noted that if there is no change in the views of the population, the formation of new values, we should not expect positive and effective results. The Russian merchant class accumulated significant economic resources in its hands, but it was extremely slow to enter into new processes, which, from our point of view, is primarily due to social conservatism. This is most evident in the maximum protection from external influences of family values. However, it should be noted that under the influence of time, in the beginning of 20th century there has been a change. Intra-family relations most clearly reflected in a concentrated form the origin and status of each member of the family, and the attitude to the emerging changes. Through the memories of representatives of these families, the heterogeneity of the social appearance of representatives of the class will be shown. Conservatism in the family did not mean denying progress at all, it was a desire to maintain reliable "rear". As history shows, stable developing societies protect and cultivate family values.
Review of Family Values: Between Neoliberalism and the New Social Conservatism by Melinda Cooper (Zone Books)