The problem of peasant mentality and modernization processes in Russia in the early XX century: theoretical and methodological aspect

For several centuries, the peasantry in Russia constituted the largest estate in the social structure of pre-revolutionary society. It is characterized by a particular way of life and occupation, ideas about peace and justice, expressed in thought patterns and daily practices. The peasantry, associated with the land and the farming system, was a quite conservative class by virtue of its patriarchy. The scientific world's awareness of the peasantry's special place in the structure of Russian society and its potential involvement in political processes made the peasantry an object of study. Based on the study of domestic and foreign historiography, a socio-cultural analysis of such a complex concept as “mentality” and its levels was carried out in order to reveal the peasants' perception of modernization processes in Russia at the theoretical level. Afterwards, conclusions are drawn about the characteristics of the peasant mentality, which influenced perceptions of the reforms of the early XX century.