Russian populism occupies a special place in the history of Russian thought, characterized by its distinct theoretical views, unique problem consciousness, complex evolutionary process, and significant historical influence. Confronted with the historical dilemma of “the future direction of Russia”, the populists responded on the base of their own traditions and modern Western resources. The populists emphasized populism, village traditions, and cultural enlightenment as outlined in their cultural program and sought to achieve social justice and the emancipation of the people through a dual critique of the autocratic system and capitalist system. However, the endeavor ultimately proved unsuccessful, due to a multitude of factors, including the conceptual misalignment, losing touch with reality, and the unrealistic expectations. And it is through the reflection on Russian populism that Russian intellectuals found the truth in Marxism eventually, put it into practice, and explored a modernization road different from the West.

　　Editor: Zhong Yao  Deng Panyi

　　From: Studies on Marxism. 2025.No.2.