Public and political agreement and the problem of overcoming social inequality

The author analyzes the relationship of economic, social and political inequality with risks for the development of democracy in Russia demonstrating that the deepening inequality leads to the polarization of society, makes impossible participation of the majority of population in the political life and strengthens the tendency to authoritarianism. In this regard, the tendency of authoritarianism is growing; conflict potential becomes the prevailing characteristic of the social process in the country and the surplus of social inequality projects on the sphere of political relations. It is emphasized in the article that there is the objective need for the social and political consensus to overcome the confrontation of interests and reduce social tension in the Russian society. The need in achieving political consensus for strengthening social solidarity and partnership is also mentioned.