The famous historian A.L. Yanov, analyzing Russian history for five centuries, forms a "new national scheme" explaining the frequency of civilizational collapses in Russia and the tragedy of the great Russian people repeating from century to century. The author explains the dynamics of Russian history by the presence of two legitimate political traditions: European and paternalistic. In a witty and polemical manner, the author also touches on the current duality of the country's cultural elite. The book will undoubtedly be of interest to everyone who is not indifferent to the fate of Russia.