«I BOLDLY RECOMMEND YOUR HIGH EXCELLENCE OF THIS DECENT OFFICER»: THE ROLE OF PROTECTION IN GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENTS ON THE PREVIEW OF THE ABOLITION OF SERFDOM (1855–1861)
https://doi.org/10.18384/2310-676X-2022-3-60-72
Abstract
Aim. The purpose of the article is to analyze the role of patronage in appointments to the governor’s post in Russia in the era of preparation for the abolition of serfdom (1855–1861).
Methodology. The research is mainly based on the corpus of archival documents introduced for the first time to academic circulation. In addition, articles of domestic and foreign authors on the issues under consideration were used.
Results. Based on the results of the study, the author concluded that the patronage factor in the governor’s appointments in the second half of the 1850s was very important. For the most part, we can talk about clan patronage, in which the patron sought the desired appointment for a person with whom he was already familiar from the previous service. The Minister of Internal Affairs, on whom the presentation of candidates for the highest name depended, was put under pressure not only by high-ranking persons (ministers, governors-general, senators, members of the State Council), but also by the governors themselves, who were trying to achieve a transfer to a convenient or attractive (for one reason or another) the province. At the same time, it is important to note that not all requests from high-ranking patrons for the appointment of their proteges to the governor’s office were successful. In some cases, they were opposed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, in others – the emperor made his own decision.
Research implications. The article summarizes new material on the topic under study and introduces new archival documents to academic circulation. The mechanism of appointment (and displacement) of governors in the period 1855–1861 is analyzed, which is of key importance for understanding personnel policy during the preparation of the “great reforms”.
About the Author
N. Mogilevsky
Moscow State Institute of International Relations
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nikolay A. Mogilevskiy – Cand. Sci. (History), Assoc. Prof., Department of the World and Patriotic History
119454, Moscow, prosp. Vernadskogo 76
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