Russian local government during the war and the Union of Zemstvos

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1794855874

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-179223

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Polner, Tichon I. http://d-nb.info/gnd/172311195

Title:: Russian local government during the war and the Union of Zemstvos

Place of publication:: New Haven

Publisher:: Yale Univ. Press

Year of publication:: 1930

Scope:: XXV, 317 S.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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INTRODUCTION 2 to indicate that the limits of the zemstvo work were not definitely in- dicated ; they could be expanded with the development of the work itself. At the time the law was enacted those activities which fell within the province of the work of the zemstvos were still in their infancy; some of them did not even exist. The autocratic govern- ment was not interested in the advancement of such activities and its ignorance of local conditions hindered all attempts in the right di- rection even where they were made. The institutions of the zemstvos were built on the foundation of free elections and responsibility to the population. The original franchise was very broad. Members of the zemstvo assemblies were elected for three years. The whole work of the institutions of local government, therefore, was carried on under the control of the voters. But at the same time the zemstvos were responsible to the local officers of the central government and must accept the super- vision of the Ministry of the Interior. The sound foundation on which the institutions of local govern- ment were built brought about results which surprised those in au- thority. The bureaucratic circles were in the habit of looking upon the population as a purely passive body that was capable of doing only what it was told to do, and they did not expect that it could perform successfully the new duties imposed upon the zemstvos, or find responsible leaders with initiative and vision. The ignorance in which the masses had been kept for centuries had accustomed the Government to think of them as something passive, devoid of imagi- nation, complacently accepting any command, and grateful for guidance from those higher up. It appeared however that the in- vigorating breezes of self-government brought with them new life for the country which had been paralyzed by a régime of repres- sions, just as spring revives nature after the long winter’s sleep. It is to be expected that in some instances the work did not proceed smoothly and there were many days of hard work and bitter disap- pointment. But still it was a period of creative work, “From slough to slough, but what a wonderful spring,” as one of the leaders of the Great Reforms put it. The progress of the zemstvo work was truly remarkable. There was no lack of men. The educated elements of the community were only too eager to help. A body of zemstvo workers gradually grew up which differed from the class of government employees. It may

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