zemstvos’ self-government

The article at first discusses the establishment of an elected zemstvos’ self-government in Siberia, as well as projects on the organisation of a zemstvos’ electoral system in Siberian provinces and regions in the early 20th century. The study was carried out on the materials of the proceedings of the local committees of the Special Council on the Needs of the Agricultural Industry. The author highlights the essence and content of the attitude of the Siberian public to the institution of elected zemstvos’ self-government, and presents the arguments of Siberian officials in favour of introducing the principle of appointment in the zemstvos’ selfgovernment in Siberia. The attitude of the authors of the projects and participants in discussions in local committees to the problem of the class composition of potential voters is also demonstrated. The article goes on to highlight the positions on the issue of suffrage and proposals for its expansion at the expense of tax and educational qualifications. The analysis then shifts to the national composition of Siberian provinces and regions in the context of granting voting rights to foreigners, before concluding with a discussion of the characteristics of the electoral rights of rural and urban populations in various projects of the organisation of the zemstvos’ electoral system. Finally, the article considers the organisation of a small zemstvos’ unit in the context of the significant remoteness of Siberian settlements from each other.