This paper explores the expert discourse surrounding “social inequality” in Russia, analysed with a focus on the role of two academic disciplines: sociology and economics. These disciplines are the main social sciences contributing to expert analyses of social inequality. In Russia, economists dominate in expert discourse (as judged by their predominance in TV and radio). Sociologists contest this domination in certain subfields, including social inequality. Quantitative analysis of TV and radio coverage from 2000 to 2022 shows that the topic of “social inequality” is highly sensitive and its use is highly moderated with respect to the political situation of the moment. According to content analysis of federal and regional news for all groups of experts, the most prominent danger of social inequality is social upheaval. This may be designated as the universal imaginary of the “Russian revolt”.