The article examines the attitude of various population groups and segments (employees, business people, government representatives of various levels) to the perspectives of the RF innovative development and the formation of knowledge economy. On the basis of research results and social polls, the author makes a conclusion that the main “retaining” factor of the innovation development and formation of knowledge economy is a reducing quality of managing development at all the levels, the “conservatism” of a signifi cant part of the Russian business elite, and indiff erence and “detachment” from the innovative processes shown by most Russians.