The author singles out, as the main sign of globalization, the interstate boundaries getting blurred, as well as the increased number of various actors on the world scene and their changed character. The «opening» of interstate boundaries is accompanied by stirring up supra-state and non-state actors, i.e intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, transnational corporations etc., to greater activity in the world politics. At the same time, intra-state regions begin to act independently. As applied to Russia, the globalization process is complicated by intra-state difficulties related to deep economic and socio-political transformations. In our country, there still prevails the tendency towards the hierarchical type of government, as distinct from the integrated «net» or democratic type of government presupposing complex mechanisms of coordination of interests. Besides, the current cardinal transformation of the international relations system raises the question of Russia’s place in the changing world. And there is no answer as yet.