Ideology shows itself when there is some subject trying to systematize its views, its values, to ‘pack’ them and produce them as an ideology. If there is no order for an ideology from some subject – represented by political parties or political leaders – then it is not going to be created by anyone, let alone by universities...

Universities play a central role in the modernization process, especially in developing societies because the role and status of the educated elite is far more pronounced in such societies than in societies where modernization has already permeat ed society in general and created attitudes and values consistent with a rational society...

The lack of a university in Russian politics – in any role, even as a public commentator – brings us within an inch of national disgrace. Modern Russian universities are not at all connected with the public political field (with the possible exclusion of the State University – the Higher School of Economics); they have dissociated themselves from politics entirely. And today, both Russian politics and the universities are reaping the fruits of that voluntary retreat from the public field...