In the context of understanding ways and prospects for the social and economic development of the country during world financial and economic crisis the study of the Soviet experience connected with the critical periods in the selection of social and economic priorities is very important. In this respect the experience of Altai Territory was interesting because just in this region the inter-elite contradictions during various periods of Soviet history assume a special character. The article is devoted to the conflict between agrarian and industrial regional elite in 1960-1970s. The author examines reasons, circumstances and results of this opposition and also it's influence on socio-economical development of the Altai Territory.