Appraisal On Russian Local Self-government Reform From The Latter Of 19 Century To The Early Of 20 Century

Russian local self-government was deep-rooted in its special historic tradition, from ancient Russia to Nicholas I's reign, reform of local management was involved in every reform they performed. A(?)exander II's reform opened a door to its development, which was both continuity and development of Russian local self-government and an important exploration in local executive management during Russian modernization.Reform of local self-government began with industrialization and serf liberation. From the point of tsar, reform was to suit the demand of complex executive administration that industrialization broug(?)t about, to strengthen its control and management to local human resource, to be seen as a compensation for aristocrats in losing serfs, and eventually to solidify social order. However, from the liberal activist's point of zemstvo, local self-government was a step through which they could realize constitutionalist regime. Therefore, during the whole process, decentralism liberals pursued and centralism tsar and big aristocrats maintained were intermingled. During Alexander II's reign, reform made great progress, but when it comes to Alexander Ill's reign, counter-reform appeared .In the end, reform plunged into plight and society was in silence .1905 revolution was a turning poirmt, local self-government, as an opponent to tsar, began to mount Russian stage. After October revolution, most of them couldn't change their roles and eventually were replaced by soviet, and Russian local self-government ended temporarily.When it comes to various problems tssar government was faced with, they were relevant to autocratic system. Reform was executed from top to bottom, tsar couldn't give a comprehensive change to society, so reform was not complete, and conflict and problems were not solved. Though it was struggling for independence, as a subsidiary organ of government, zemstvo was subjected to autocratic regime from the beginning. It was unable to make Russia lead a democratic and constitutionalist way and undertake historic task to further social transformation and political development.However, local self-government made a far-reaching effect on Russian society and politics, especially on Russian modernization. Its basic work left an important impact ondeveloping Russian industrialization, improving agricultural technology, advancing cultural education and boosting medical conditions. In addition, reform improved Russian public sense of participating in local affairs, endowed public with the rights of local self-government, activated Russian political life and prompted Russian development toward civil society. Though October revolution interrupted its development, it is still necessary to Russian. So, in some sense, if we research local self-government from the latter of 19 century to the early of 20 century, we can survey today's Russian local self-government from a historic angle.This thesis starts with the concept of "zemstvo", explores the theories of "centralism" and "decentralism ", traces back its tradition in Russia. At last, I make a systematic insight into causes of reform; analyze the whole process of reform and appraise its social and political influences and historic roles .The body of this thesis consists of four parts:The first part is to explain the concept of "zemstvo " and introduce two conflicting "decentralism" and "centralism" theories.The second part: Through illustrating its evolution process in Russian history, there is a conclusion that local self-government is implicitly related to cultural traditions and social conditions at that time.The third part is to illustrate systematically reform process from the latter part of 19 century to the beginning of 20 century. On the one hand, I discuss the causes of reform from three main aspects; on the other hand, I emphasize reform in 1864 and counter-reform in 1890 and the following development and change from 1905 revolution to its end.The fourth part is to analyze social and political influences reform brought about, in addition to its historical r...