The development of civilization is carried out in one direction and deviations in different countries are not essential

A controversial issue related to trends in civilizational development is considered, bearing in mind primarily the socio-political and socio-economic aspects. The thesis is put forward and substantiated that all countries of the world are developing in the same direction (to put it simply - from absolutism to democracy), while states have their own characteristics, but they do not change the general direction and follow the same trends, albeit with a shift by time. This process is shown using the example of Russia in the 19th - early 20th centuries, in particular, it is indicated that no matter how unique and strong Russian absolutism was, it would seem, but here, too, liberal changes took place (abolition of serfdom, judicial reform, expansion of the powers of local self-government, and later the emergence of the Russian parliament, etc.). An explanation of the reasons for this phenomenon is proposed.