Party table of the Russian Empire. How do Russian political parties differ from Western ones?

The main program guidelines of political parties in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century.

NAME OF PARTS

Basic software

installations

National

question

Agrarian

question

Worker

question

SOCIALIST

1903 RSDLP

1907 RSDLP

(Mensheviks)

Yu.O. Cederbaum

(L. Martov)

The party must be open to all segments of the population. Different points of view and views were allowed. The hegemon of the revolution is the bourgeoisie, the proletariat is the ally, and the peasantry is the reactionary force. For the bourgeois-democratic revolution: the overthrow of the autocracy, the establishment of a democratic republic, universal suffrage and democratic freedoms, broad local self-government. After the revolution, the dictatorship of the proletariat must be established for the socialist reconstruction of society.

1906: municipalization of land, i.e. transfer of confiscated landowners' land into the ownership of local authorities while maintaining small peasant ownership of land.

1903 RSDLP

1907 RSDLP

(Bolsheviks)

IN AND. Ulyanov (Lenin)

The party must be closed, conspiratorial, with strict discipline and the basic principle of “the minority submits to the majority.” The hegemon is the proletariat, the peasantry is the ally, and the bourgeoisie is the counter-revolutionary force. For the bourgeois-democratic revolution: the overthrow of the autocracy, the establishment of a democratic republic, universal suffrage and democratic freedoms, broad local self-government. After the revolution, the dictatorship of the proletariat must be established for the socialist reconstruction of society.

The right of nations to self-determination and their equality.

Return to peasants of lands cut off from their allotments in 1861, abolition of redemption and quitrent payments for land and return of previously paid amounts.

1906: confiscation of all types of land property and transfer to state ownership (nationalization).

8-hour working day, abolition of fines and overtime.

AKP (Socialist Revolutionaries)

Socialist Revolutionary Party

V.M. Chernov

The main task is to prepare the people for the revolution. The driving force was considered the “working class” (everyone who lives by their own labor - the peasantry, workers, intelligentsia). After the overthrow of the autocracy, “democracy” must be established through the work of the Constituent Assembly.

Individual terror was actively used as a method of struggle.

Federative relations between individual nationalities, the unconditional right of nations to self-determination.

Socialization of the land, i.e. its withdrawal from commodity circulation and its transformation into public property. The right to dispose of land was given to peasant communities, which had to divide the land among everyone who cultivates it according to consumer or labor standards (by eaters or workers in the family)

They didn't pay attention.

LIBERAL

(Octobrists)

A.I. Guchkov

the main objective- providing “assistance to the government following the path of saving reforms.”

They demanded the preservation of unity and inseparability Russian state, its unitary character.

Equalization of rights of peasants with other classes, facilitating their exit from the community, resettlement policy, sale of state and landowners' lands to peasants. Alienation of landowner's land only as a last resort on the terms of “fair compensation established by legal authority”

They did not put forward demands for an 8-hour working day. The right of workers to hold strikes in industries of national importance was limited.

Constitutional Democratic Party (Cadets)

P.N. Miliukov

Establishment of a constitutional system (form of government - a constitutional monarchy or republic). Abolition of class privileges, equality of all before the law, establishment of freedom of personality, speech, assembly and other democratic freedoms.

The main method of struggle is the tactic of putting pressure on the government through legal opportunities and, above all, through the Duma.

The right to cultural self-determination of all nations and nationalities.

Increase land area plots due to partial alienation of privately owned lands.

8-hour working day, right to strike.

MONARCHICAL

"Union of the Russian People"

"Russian Assembly"

"Monarchist Party"

"Russian People's Union named after Michael the Archangel"

Restoration and strengthening of the “original Russian principles”, preservation and strengthening of the autocracy.

Nationalist program. "Russia is for russians! For the faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland! Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality! Down with the revolution!

Pogroms were used as a method of struggle even among the civilian population as a method of intimidation and restoration of order. They organized fighting squads, which were often called the “Black Hundred”.

IN late XIX century, the Russian Empire was considered a powerful state in the world with a strong economy and a stable political system. However, in the new century, the country faced a revolution and a long struggle to establish a specific model of statehood.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the country experienced a dominance of various parties with completely different programs and political leaders. Who led the future revolutionary movement, and which parties waged the most intense and lengthy struggle for power?

The main political parties of the country at the beginning of the 20th century

The presence of various state parties, both with sharply revolutionary and liberal views on the future of the country, directly testified to the crisis of power. At the beginning of the 20th century, Nicholas II could still change the course of history by ensuring that all the named parties ceased to exist. However, the inaction of the monarch only further spurred political activists.

As a result, the country experienced two revolutions and literally being torn apart by the Mensheviks, Bolsheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries. In the end, the Bolsheviks managed to win, but only at the cost of thousands of losses, a sharp deterioration in the economic situation and a decrease in the international authority of the country.

By the beginning of the 20th century political activity in Russia has reached its maximum. All social party organizations that existed at that time were divided into three main branches: socialist movements, liberal and monarchical. Each of the movements reflected the mood of the main segments of the population.

Political structure modern Russia is the subject of detailed study by political scientists. We will not take away their bread by telling how the vertical of power is structured and what technologies those who want to climb to the top use. In our article we will only touch on Russian political parties, describing their functions and differences from Western ones.

What is a party?

Political parties in modern Russia are communities of people united by one ideology, whose goal is to achieve power. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a multi-party system has been established in the country, i.e. the simultaneous existence of several parties is allowed. As of 2015, their number reached 78. Agree, quite a lot even for such a huge country as Russia.

It is possible to register a party in Russia only by fulfilling a number of conditions stipulated by law:

• it is necessary to have regional offices in at least half of the constituent entities of the Federation, i.e., at least 43 branches. Moreover, in each region you need to register;

• governing bodies and at least 500 people must be within Russian Federation.

The law gives Russian political parties the right to nominate their candidates for elective positions in all local government bodies and in legislature. However, only parties represented in the State Duma, as well as in at least 1/3 of the constituent entities of the Federation, can participate in the presidential elections. The rest will have to collect voter signatures in favor of their candidate.

From the history of the Russian political movement

The history of political parties in Russia is represented by periods of single-party and multi-party systems. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were 14 political organizations in Russia, 10 of which were part of the State Duma, established in 1905.

After the revolution of 1917, the country maintained a multi-party system for some time, but it ran counter to the dictatorship of the proletariat proclaimed by the Bolsheviks. Therefore, in 1923, the transition to a one-party system was carried out; the only political formation left in the country was the Russian Social Democratic Party. workers' party Bolsheviks, transformed in 1925 into the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, since 1952 renamed the Communist Party Soviet Union.

The one-party system was enshrined in the Constitution of the USSR, moreover, in Art. 6 of the Basic Law it was written: the party plays a leading and directing role in a socialist state.

The collapse of the one-party system occurred during the years of the leadership of the country by M. S. Gorbachev, who initiated political reform and declared pluralism of political opinions. In 1988, the article of the Constitution on a single party was repealed, and at the same time, along with the CPSU, a second party appeared in the country - the Liberal Democratic Party.

In the 90s of the last century, about 200 operated on the territory of the USSR political formations and public organizations. After the collapse of the Soviet Union on the territory of the Russian Federation, their number decreased.

The 1st convocation of the State Duma included the LDPR, which received 22% of the votes, the Democratic Choice of Russia with 15%, and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which had 12.4% of voter sympathy in its arsenal.

Modern political parties in Russia

The activities of political parties in Russia today are strictly regulated. However, according to political scientists, the current state of affairs in the country politic system was created for pro-government parties. Therefore, they are the ones who have the most impressive representation in the State Duma.

List of Russian political parties represented in the State Duma

As of November 2015, the list of Russian political parties represented in the State Duma looks like this:

For acceptance federal law It is enough to get more than half the votes, and to vote for changes to the Constitution, 2/3 of the votes of parliamentarians is required.

What does it look like today list of main parties in the country? The first place in it is occupied by the United Russia party, which today has a tacitly dominant role. The basis of her political program was the ideology of “Russian conservatism,” traditionalism and economic liberalism. Headed by Dmitry Medvedev, United Russia is a pro-government structure acting in the interests of the head of state.

The main political parties in Russia - table

Features of the party system in Russia

If we compare political parties and movements in Russia with their Western counterparts, we can distinguish 2 main differences:

1. The division between left and right that exists in the West does not coincide with Russian ideas.
Western political scientists classify parties of reformers and radicals as “left,” and conservatives who defend traditional values ​​and existing economic orders as “right.”

In Russia, if you remember, Yegor Gaidar and his supporters, who carried out economic reform, at first they were classified as left-wing forces, and then, deciding that capitalism is a traditional system and considering Gaidar and his comrades as its defenders, they began to call his party right-wing.

Traditionally considered a left-wing Communist Party of Russia, it is difficult to classify it as a reformer, since the steps it proposes do not bear the imprint of progress, rather, on the contrary.

2. The presence in Russia of a “party in power”, i.e. an organization specially created to support the leadership of the state. IN Western countries there is no such phenomenon. For them, creating a party specifically for elections or in support of a presidential candidate is not practiced.

Political parties in Russia in the 20th century were born thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts who believed in democracy and openness. In the 21st century this activity has become profitable business. For example, the famous political strategist Andrei Bogdanov mass media Authorship of about 10 games is attributed. What are they needed for?

Let's look at an example. You are going to the polls with your party, whose program focuses on the interests of the middle class. A poll shows that with such a program you can count on 10% of the vote, while your competitor, who focuses on the problems of the working class, can get 15%.

The program cannot be redrawn: the emphasis should be on one social layer, otherwise you risk losing your electorate without gaining a new one in return. And here you are offered a way out: create a party focused on workers, which can potentially “take away” about 5% of the votes from your competitor.

This party puts forward a technical candidate who does not make it to the second round (the party is new, there are few chances), but “transfers” the votes received to you (asks his voters to vote for you). All 5% will not come to you, but you can get about 3%. What if there are two such parties? And what if their rating is higher and there are more votes? Then the chances of winning will become more real.

Political parties in Russia 2015, for the most part, have an already formed and established electorate, which allows them to predict the election results with a high degree of confidence. But political struggle no one has canceled it: every day the situation changes, in the end, the winner is the one who is well versed in the methods of political science, has solid financial support and has the foresight of a politician.

Does Russia need new political parties? What Russians think about this, watch the video:

Take it for yourself and tell your friends!

Read also on our website:

Monarchist parties.

The largest and most famous are the “Union of the Russian People” (1905, leaders: A. I. Dubrovin, N. E. Markov) and “Union of the Archangel Michael” (1907, leader - V. M. Purishkevich).

The social composition was very varied, mainly dominated by representatives of the petty bourgeoisie - shopkeepers, artisans, handicraftsmen, cab drivers, etc., but among the monarchists there were also nobles, peasants, and workers. The maximum number was 100 thousand people in 1907, but there was no fixed membership. Program goals: preservation of autocracy, fight against revolution. Violence and terror, pogroms were accepted as methods of achieving them. They blamed foreigners, and above all Jews, for all the troubles; they put forward extremely nationalist, anti-Semitic slogans: “Russia for the Russians,” “Beat the Jews - save Russia.” These slogans contain the essence of these parties, which relied on the base instincts of the crowd.

Monarchist parties had great influence in the Third and partly in the Fourth State Duma. By 1917, they actually disintegrated into smaller political entities, and after February 1917 they ceased to exist.

Liberal parties.

They can be divided into two wings - moderate-conservative and liberal-democratic.

The moderate-conservative wing was headed by the party Octobrists(“Union October 17”). It was formed in November 1905, named after the Manifesto of October 17. Leader - A.I. Guchkov. Social composition: large entrepreneurs, intelligentsia. Maximum number - 60 thousand people in 1907. Program goals: further development political freedoms granted by the Manifesto of October 17, the ideal is a limited constitutional monarchy. The methods of struggle are only parliamentary. They advocated freedom of entrepreneurship, rejection of petty tutelage on the part of the state, and against the introduction of an 8-hour working day. They supported Stolypin's agrarian reform. The party enjoyed particular influence in the Third Duma. After 1917 it ceased to exist.

Other parties: Commercial and Industrial (Ryabushinsky brothers), Progressive Economic Party.

The largest party of the liberal democratic wing was ka-kids(Constitutional Democratic Party, or People's Freedom Party). Leader - P. N. Milyukov. The party was formed in October 1905 based on the union of the Liberation Union and the left wing of the Union of Zemstvo Constitutionalists. Social composition: intelligentsia. Maximum number - 100 thousand in 1907. Program goals: establishment of a constitutional system, introduction of democratic freedoms - speech, conscience, assembly, equality before the law, etc., allotment of land to peasants through alienation for payment of private property. land, abolition of redemption payments, introduction of an 8-hour working day, freedom of strikes, unions, meetings, cultural autonomy of all peoples of Russia. The methods of struggle were parliamentary and allowed civil disobedience. The Cadets enjoyed particular influence in the First and Second State Dumas, then their influence fell somewhat, and the size of the party decreased. The initiators of the creation of the “Progressive Bloc” became active again in the IV Duma. In March - April 1917 - the party in power. The Kadet Party ceased to exist in the early 1920s.

Other parties: Progressive Party, Democratic Reform Party.

Socialist parties. They were united by a negative attitude towards the capitalist system. The ideal is a society without exploitation of man by man, i.e. socialism. They advocated radical transformations of the social and political system - the overthrow of the autocracy and the establishment of a democratic republic. They differed in ways and methods of achieving goals. The largest and most influential are the Socialist Revolutionary Party (Socialist Revolutionaries) and the RSDLP (Social Democrats).

Socialist parties can also be divided into two wings - moderate and radical.

The moderate wing was represented by the Mensheviks and the Popular Socialists.

The creation of the RSDLP was proclaimed at the First Party Congress in 1898. In 1903, at the Second Congress there was a split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. Leaders Mensheviks: G. V. Plekhanov, F. I. Dan, L. Martov. Social composition: intellectuals, workers. They almost always outnumbered the Bolsheviks (for example, in 1907 there were about 100 thousand Mensheviks and 50-60 thousand Bolsheviks). Program goals: they disagreed with the Bolsheviks regarding the prospects for building socialism in Russia - they believed that in Russia there were no economic prerequisites for this and a long path of capitalist development was necessary, therefore, during the revolution of 1905-1907. advocated an alliance with the bourgeois parties and opposed the independent role of the Social Democrats. Methods of struggle: a combination of legal and illegal with a predominance of the former. The party ceased to exist by the mid-1920s.

The Socialist Revolutionary Party was formed in 1901 on the basis of populist circles. People's Socialists (enesy) separated from it in 1905. The leader is A.V. Peshekhonov. Unlike the Socialist Revolutionaries, they did not recognize terror; they emphasized legal methods of struggle. They enjoyed the greatest influence in the First and Second State Dumas, where their program was adopted by the peasant deputies - the Trudoviks.

The radical wing of the socialists was represented by the Socialist Revolutionaries and Bolsheviks.

Party leaders Social Revolutionaries were V. M. Chernov and M. A. Spiridonova. Social composition: intelligentsia, peasants, workers. Maximum number - 60 thousand in 1905 and before 500 thousand in 1917 d. Program goals: they considered themselves to be representatives of the interests of the peasants, therefore the main emphasis was placed on the agrarian program (the so-called socialization of the land). The methods of struggle are violent, primarily individual terror, like the populists.

Bolsheviksreceived the name due to the fact that supporters of V.I. Lenin received a majority of votes in the elections to the governing bodies of the party at the Second Congress. Leader - V.I. Lenin. Social composition: intelligentsia, workers. Program goals: minimum program —

bourgeois-democratic revolution and the overthrow of tsarism, the establishment of a democratic republic, maximum program - socialist revolution and establishment of the dictatorship of the proletariat. They believed that, although in Russia there were no economic prerequisites for the transition to socialism, they could be artificially created. To do this, Social Democrats must act as an independent force, seize power and, having established the dictatorship of the proletariat, carry out the necessary transformations “from above.” This explains their boycott of the elections to the First Duma, refusal to support bourgeois parties. They spoke out for an 8-hour working day, workers' control, etc. Methods of struggle - violent, armed uprising. Since October 1917 - the party in power.

Conclusion: in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. There was a wide range of political parties. The peculiarity is that their activities were hampered in every possible way by the autocratic political regime. This predetermined the oppositional nature of most parties, the weakness of the political center, and the tendency towards increasing polarization and radicalization of socio-political forces.

I. Monarchical-nationalist parties

The largest and most famous are the “Union of the Russian People” (since 1905, leader - A.I. Dubrovin, Markov brothers) and “Union of Michael - Archangel” (since 1907, leader - V.M. Purishkevich). Social composition: very varied, mainly dominated by representatives of the petty bourgeoisie (shopkeepers, artisans, handicraftsmen, cab drivers, etc.), but there were also nobles, peasants, and workers.

The maximum number was 100 thousand people in 1907, but there was no fixed membership.

The program goals are the preservation of autocracy, the fight against revolutionaries, blaming foreigners and, above all, Jews for all troubles; extremely nationalistic, anti-Semitic slogans: “Russia for Russians”, “Beat the Jews - save Russia” (these slogans contain the essence of the party, which relied on the base instincts of the crowd). Methods: allowed violence and terror, pogroms.

These parties had great influence in the Third and partly in the Fourth State Duma; by 1917, they actually disintegrated into smaller political entities, and after 1917 they ceased to exist.

II. Bourgeois-liberal parties

They can be divided into 2 wings:

1. Moderately conservative.

They were led by the Octobrist party (“Union of October 17”). It was formed in November 1905 and named after the Manifesto of October 17. Leader: A.I. Guchkov. Maximum number: 60 thousand people in 1907. Social composition: large entrepreneurs, intelligentsia. Program goals: further development of political freedoms granted by the Manifesto of October 17, the ideal is a limited constitutional monarchy, Special attention paid attention to the economic issue: freedom of enterprise, rejection of petty tutelage on the part of the state; against the eight-hour working day; fully supported Stolypin's agrarian reform. She enjoyed particular influence in the Third State Duma. After 1917 they ceased to exist. Other parties: Commercial and Industrial (Ryabushinsky brothers), Progressive Economic Party. Methods: parliamentary only.

2. Liberal.

The largest party is the Cadets (“Constitutional Democratic Party or People’s Freedom Party”). Leader: P.N. Milyukov, was formed in October 1905 on the basis of the “Union of Liberation”. Maximum number: » 100 thousand in 1907. Social composition: intelligentsia. Program goals: the main focus was on the political block of issues: expansion of democratic freedoms, ideally universal suffrage; principle of “non-predecision”: the future form of government must be chosen constituent Assembly; the slogan of a “responsible ministry” before the Duma; for an eight-hour working day.

She enjoyed particular influence in the I and II State Dumas, then their influence fell, the size of the party decreased, then the initiators of the creation of the Progressive Bloc became more active in the IV State Duma; The “party in power” in March-April 1917 ceased to exist in the early 1920s. Methods: parliamentary struggle, allowed civil disobedience. Other parties: Progressive Party, Democratic Reform Party.

III. Socialist parties

The largest and most influential are the Socialist Revolutionary Party (SRs) and the RSDLP (Social Democrats).

What they have in common: a negative attitude towards the capitalist system, the ideal is a society without the exploitation of man by man - socialism; radical transformations of social and political system(all advocated the overthrow of the autocracy and the establishment of a democratic republic). They differed in ways and methods of achieving goals.

In general, socialist parties can also be divided into two wings:

Moderate.

A. People's Socialists (Enes) - the right wing of the Socialist Revolutionaries, emerged in 1905. Leader - A.V. Peshekhonov differed from the Socialist Revolutionaries in their rejection of terror and emphasized legal methods of struggle. They enjoyed the greatest influence in the 1st and 2nd State Dumas, where their program was adopted by peasant deputies (“trudoviks”), then this party loses influence.

The B. Mensheviks (the right wing of the RSDLP) emerged in 1905 at the Third Congress of the RSDLP; Leaders: Plekhanov, Dan, Martov. Social composition: intelligentsia, workers. They almost always outnumbered the Bolsheviks. Program goals: disagreed with the Bolsheviks regarding the prospects for building socialism in Russia ® believed that in Russia there are no economic prerequisites for this, a long path of capitalist development is necessary, therefore during the revolution of 1905 - 1907. advocated an alliance with the bourgeois parties and opposed the independent role of the Social Democrats. Methods: a combination of legal and illegal with a predominance of the former.

The party ceased to exist by the mid-1920s.

2. Radical.

A. Social Revolutionaries - the party was formed in 1902 on the basis of populist circles. Leaders: V.M. Chernov and M.A. Spiridonova. Social composition: intelligentsia, peasants, workers. Maximum number: » 60 thousand in 1905 and up to 500 thousand in 1917. Program goals - considered themselves to be representatives of the interests of the peasants ® the main emphasis was on the agrarian program (“socialization of the land”). Methods: violent and, above all, individual terror, like the populists. A special feature is the presence of a Combat Organization.

B. Bolsheviks (the left wing of the RSDLP) received their name due to the fact that supporters of Lenin’s program received the majority of votes in the elections to the party’s governing bodies at the Second Congress. Leader: V.I. Lenin. Social composition: intelligentsia, workers. Program goals: they believed that, although in Russia there are no economic prerequisites for the transition to socialism, they can be artificially created ® for this, the Social Democrats must act as an independent force, seize power and, having established the “dictatorship of the proletariat,” carry out the necessary “from above” transformations hence the boycott of the elections to the First Duma, refusal to support bourgeois parties. They considered themselves spokesmen for the interests of the workers and focused on social issues (eight-hour working day, workers' control, etc.). Methods: a combination of legal and illegal with a predominance of the latter. Since October 1917 - “the party in power.”

Agrarian programs of political parties at the beginning of the 20th century

“Union of the Russian People” - for the preservation of the community as an original feature of the Russian people, to solve the issue of land shortage by organizing resettlement at state expense and organizing agricultural credit.

Octobrists - their agrarian program actually coincided with the program of the Stolypin government, so they fully supported the Stolypin agrarian reform.

Cadets - allowed the possibility of confiscation of part of the landowners' lands in excess of the established maximum, but with mandatory payments by the state of the value of the lands to the landowners. Then these lands were to be sold to peasants at preferential prices, including on credit. Principle private property considered unshakable.

Social Revolutionaries - the “socialization of the land” program: provided for the abolition of private ownership of land, the gratuitous confiscation of landowners’ lands and their transfer for free use to peasants according to labor (how much one family can work without the use of hired labor) and consumer norms (depending on the number of family members) . It was extremely popular among peasants and became the basis of the Decree on Land on October 26, 1917.

The Mensheviks - the program of “municipalization of the land”: the same as that of the Socialist Revolutionaries, but all the land was transferred to the jurisdiction of self-government bodies (municipalities), and then distributed among the peasants.

Bolsheviks - the “land nationalization” program ® also provided for the abolition of private ownership of land, the confiscation of landowners’ lands, but then all the land became the property of the state (nationalized) and only then distributed among the peasants, with preference given to large forms of farming (collective farms, artels) .

Conclusion: in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. There was a wide range of political parties and movements, from the far right to the far left. The peculiarity is that their activities were hampered in every possible way by the autocratic political regime. This predetermined the oppositional nature of most parties, the weakness of the political center, and the tendency towards increasing polarization and radicalization of socio-political forces.