REFORM PROJECTS OF ELECTED INSTITUTIONS AND LOCAL COURTS IN THE MOSCOW PROVINCE IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY (ON THE MATERIALS OF A SPECIAL MEETING ON THE NEEDS OF THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY)

Abstract

Aim. To distinguish the types of projects aimed at reforming the elected institutions of self-government and local courts, which were proposed in the Moscow province in the early twentieth century. Methodology. An analysis of the speeches and notes of Moscow public and political figures presented to local committees at a special meeting on the needs of the agriculture industry was carried out. Results. The author concludes that, for the Moscow Zemstvo, the question of self-government and local court reforms was one of the key problems. At the same time, an important point of the projects was to expand the circle of people who had electoral rights. The following types of the proposed projects of self-government were distinguished: on an all-estate and classless basis, as well as small Zemstvo units. Trends towards democratization of the elected institutions of self-government and local courts by expanding electoral rights were identified. Research implications. The identification of the main types of projects under study allowed the authors to present the key directions of Zemstvo projects in terms of organizing the Zemstvo and peasant self-government along with the local courts, which were formed at the beginning of the 20th century.