The authors of the paper offer their version of renovation to foster democratic, socially-oriented economic development, positively negating limitations of old practices, and propose ten steps towards synthesis of freedom, justice and solidarity in development. These steps require deep changes of economic model shaped in the present-day Russia. Moreover, without such changes there is no prospects for solving problems, which economic development of our country and of the world economy as well is hampered by. Key words: contradictions of globalization • new strategy for Russia • democratic social orientation of economic development • civil society 13 ROMANOVSKIY N.V. (‘Sociological Studies’ journal, Russian State University for Humanities, Moscow, Russia) Future as a problem of contemporary sociology Summary. Interest for future comes back – thus one may assess recent shifts in publication topics in international sociology. Relevant data are presented and foci in world sociological periodicals publications on this trend are analyzed, in particular reaction in academic and public circles to T. Piketty’s forecast of growing – up to 2070th – wealth polarization. Tentative issues for discussions among Russian sociologists of their country’s future are offered along with characteristics of dicourse of future of our country stressing key role in it of sociology and historical sociology. Mainlines of relevant empirical research accents are formulated.