The article has for its main object the analysis of the basic trends in the evolution of different ideological conceptions in Russia during the whole of the 20th century. The problem investigated is, in particular, the role of national traditions and of the national character in the formation of the Russian reformers’ ideological orientations and programs, as well as the meaning of social utopianism in the legitimation of both the socialist and the neoliberal political regimes and, more generally, practices.