The article follows ongoing discussion of modernization in Russia. Main ideas of participants of the discussion are compared with «classic» theory of modernization developed in Western countries in 1950-1960-es. In contrast to «classic» theory, present-day discourse of modernization is characterized by disunity with regard to normative model of modernity.

The notion of developmental state in contemporary academic discourse is characterized by the high degree of conceptual stretching. Analytical approaches to its reflection, considerations on the key functioning operating factors and the prospects of its synthesis with other concepts in the sphere of public development, modernization theory, public management and economics considerably vary. Despite all the diversity of contemporary researches, the mainstream is limited by the case studies of Asian economic miracle where the model has always been crucial.

The article is devoted to analysis of discursive practices of public representation and discussion of the policy of «modernization» announced by president Dmitry Medvedev. It is focused on interpretations of the idea of modernization by the leading Russian politicians. It highlights the role of the notions of collective past, present and future in its ideological justification and contestation.

The article fleshes out the dominant interpretations of modernization in the EU countries and Russia. The authors come to the conclusion that in Russia a mix of «postpolitical» and authoritarian versions of modernization prevails, which creates some discursive disconnections in the political relations with Europe, which much stronger accentuates socio-political connotations of this concept. Though Europe claims to reach beyond the modernity paradigm, some of its policy instruments have a lot to do with modernity. Criticism of European post-modern is feasible, yet in Russia it usually takes a retrograde form and is conducive to bringing the society away from the much needed normative dialogue with Europe.

The review traces origins of current concepts of modernization in PRC to the period of increased communications between mainland China and the West, and growing trend of re-assessment of China's past in the 80 s. Multiple approaches of modernization, which could be associated with political left, right and center in modern Chinese ideology, and which have complex relationships with ideas of nationalism, westernization and democracy are suggested. The review focuses on the original features of the prevailing paradigm of modernization as well as its complex interaction with forming of ideology of Deng Xiaoping and his followers.

The article explores the political development of Iran since the first attempts of modernization in the middle of the XIX century. It shows the connection between the religious interpretation and available combinations of political and socio-economic factors as well the specificity of the Shia tradition in the political process. An analysis of the contemporary Iranian regime and its possible evolution is given.

The article is devoted to three cases of modernizations - that in Singapore, Malaysia and China. It demonstrates the value of integral representations of modernization and the image of the future of a country as one of methodological regulations of reforms. Otherwise the term «modernization» is reduced to common notions of improvement, refinement and has no evaluative or conceptual grounding (justification). The policy of Lee Kuan-Yew, the Prime Minister of Singapore, was guided by a dream to turn Singapore into a country of the First World. This dream determining all his strategies, projects and programs. The Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad sought to make Malaysians competitive with the Chinese and Indian population of the country, which determined Malaysia's modernization path. The PRC administration, striving to see China in 2050 among the ten most advanced countries in the world, has been implementing its strategy on the basis of annual reports on modernization.

Theoretical approaches of the leading representatives of the multiple modernities theory are considered in the article. Particular attention is devoted to Shmuel Eisenstadt's concept of modernity as a civilization and Johann Arnason's analysis of the Soviet version of modernity. The influence of this theoretical perspective on contemporary political sociology is discussed.

Article is devoted to perception of two last decades by post-Soviet youth. The paper analyzes in-depth biographical interviews with young Russians, classified according to their behavioral attitudes to the «modernists» and «traditionalists». The study has shown that the youth's attitudes to the post-Soviet period of development of the Russian society are based mainly on common and popular in national media cliches about (of-?) the «dashing» 1990-es and «quiet» 2000-es. The value of democratic freedoms doesn't seem obvious to many respondents, at least, they value material well-being much higher.

The article examines the evolution of theoretical approaches to development and evaluates contradictory results of the international aid to the Third World countries. It also provides an estimate of the current state of scientific research relating to development.

The article explores the nature of verbal images and presents a way of analyzing them. An image is regarded as a linguistic sign that is discursively charged with an additional, iconically functioning signified. The article proposes a model of structural analysis of images, consisting of three levels: (1) functions, (2) actions and (3) pragmatics.