Johan Arnason (b. 1940) is a leading theorist of modern historical sociology and one of the founders of civilizational analysis as a sociological paradigm. Being in a productive dialogue with S. Eisenstadt, who developed the concept of multiple modernities, Arnason develops the so-called relational approach to the study of civilizations. One of its key features is the emphasis on the ability of civilizations to learn mutually and borrow certain cultural traits. At the same time, the process of development of civilization, according to the author, is not always limited to a predictable scenario - its direction can change under the influence of the creativity of social action and random events. Characterizing the relationship of various civilizations with the West, the researcher highlights the interaction of traditions, various paths of modernization and alternative forms of modernity. Analyzing the evolution of Russian society, he shows how the attitude towards “denial of Western modernity with claims to surpass it” took shape. The presented collection of Arnason’s works includes texts in which he, on the one hand, describes the main provisions of his theory, and, on the other, demonstrates the possibilities of its application, in particular by exploring the Soviet model. These works are significant not only for understanding historical changes in pre-modern and modern civilizations, but also for understanding social transformations in today's world.