Reviewed are sphere of values in Russian society and reasons for our citizens’ concerns with looming moral degradation of the nation. Correlation between commitment to certain moral norms and following them in daily lives is discussed. It is concluded that the root cause of the crisis is not so much moral degradation of society as the growing gap between ethical guidelines and requirements of the social environment, resulting in many of the basic rules and principles that recently have shaped the life practices (hard work, honesty, modesty, etc.) remaining unclaimed. Their role as motivations for social action is being lost and, instead, a stable, especially among the younger people, stereotype emerges, according to which life success and adherence to moral norms in modern Russia are almost incompatible things. Advisability and possible forms of reaction of the state on this issue are discussed. It is emphasized that this is needed, primarily, for making and cultivating of universal, stable bases of social activities, for socially approved patterns of behaviour based on the principles of social justice. It is the task of the “shared vision” of the state and civil society, where the state’s role should be to develop “General rules for living” and to control their observance. Government intervention in the private lives of citizens should only occur where morality ends and the criminal code begins.