Liberal-Conservative and Liberal Views on the Popular Representation in the Beginning of the 20th Century and Their Reflection in the Legislation of 1905–1906
The article is devoted to the study of the views of Russian liberals and liberal-conservatives on the representative authority in the beginning of the 20th century. It is shown that since the 70-ies of the 19th century all of them supported the transfer to representative authority. By the beginning of the 20th century even moderate liberals could not envisage further development of the country without such reforms. The revolution of 1905 intensified the activity of all social and political movements. Liberal conservatives supported the introduction of advisory representation that was to be elected by the democratized “Zemstva” and that should submit their opinions directly to the Emperor. The liberals pressed for the introduction of the parliament elected by universal, equal, direct and secret voting, that would issue laws, approve the budget and effect political control of the government. The development of political system reforms had bureaucratic and secret character. The demands of liberal society were taken into account only occasionally and only on minor issues. And it became the factor that intensified confrontation of the government and the educated society.