Open AccessThe phenomenon of absenteeism in pre-revolutionary Russia
Author(s) -
Aleksandr S. Tkach
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
vestnik kostromskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta imeni n.a. nekrasova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1998-0817
DOI - 10.34216/1998-0817-2019-25-4-199-203
Subject(s) - peasant , duty , turnout , political science , government (linguistics) , politics , state (computer science) , empire , phenomenon , public administration , political economy , law , sociology , voting , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , computer science , physics , quantum mechanics
The author analyses the history of absenteeism in Russia and notes the relationship of modern electoral problems related to low voter turnout, political apathy, and a lack of understanding of the importance of electoral mechanisms by many voters with the historical conditions for the formation of representative institutions. It is noted, on the one hand, the existence of self-government in the peasant community, and on the other, indifference, lack of understanding of the significance of the election of deputies sent to Zemstvo councils. The article deals with the attitude to the elections as a heavy duty was also characteristic of the Petrine era – the election of burgomasters in Moscow, the establishment of a city government for financial and judicial affairs, which was not supported by most cities. A more favourable attitude to the elections was formed only when the deputies were convened in the laid commission under Catherine II. The author also considers the attitude of voters towards elections to bodies that emerged as a result of the Zemstvo reform, and elections to the State Duma of the Russian Empire.