Formal Rationality Traps in Administration of Higher Education Institutions in Russia

The paper discusses reforms to the higher education system in Russia in the context of its integration into the European education realm. The authors single out key decisions and actions taken within reformation of education: desacralization of the education process, introducing technologies to education, and configuring Russian education according to Western patterns. The paper examines rationalization as an umbrella notion for changes in the higher education system. The concept of formal rationalization is defined, its risks and drawbacks for higher education are discussed. The authors single out markers of formal rationalization in administration and structure of higher education institutions on the basis of own sociological research. Characteristic traits of the bureaucratic worldview in Russian higher education institutions are analyzed. The causes of formal rationality traps in higher education are discussed.