The paper discusses the structure, organizational and legal features of the Siberian provincial administrations in the period 1781 – 1895, which were determined by the «Institutions for the management of the provinces of the Russian Empire» in 1775 and the «Institution for the management of the Siberian provinces» in 1822. The growing interest in the history of local government connected not only with the aspiration of historians to look more deeply into the past but also with practical needs. Researching of the forgotten traditions of public administration allows to take greater account of historical experience that has been accumulated over the centuries. We also need to take a look at already known facts and events in the light of today's realities. This approach may overcome the old myths and misconceptions and also prevent the birth of new ones. Theoretical and methodological basis of the research were such principles of historical knowledge as objectivity, historicism, alternativeness and social approach which are assuming an unbiased approach to the analysis of the researched problems, as well as a critical attitude to sources. Special attention was given to the structure and legal issues of the activities of local government. The main authorities of the provincial executive power, and their activity has always been defined as “the constabulary in the highest sense”. The powers of provincial governments in Siberia had their own specifics and were broader than in the central provinces of the empire.

Tolochko Anatolii Pavlovich, Doctor of Sciences (History), Professor, Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55A, Av. Mir, Omsk, 644077, Russian Federation, tel.: 8 (3812) 67-01-04, e-mail: ifdoid@gmail.com 

Konovalov Igor Anatolievich, Candidate of Sciences (History), Associate Professor, Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 55A, Av. Mir, Omsk, 644077, Russian Federation, tel.: 8 (3812) 67-01-04, e-mail: konov77@mail.ru

Tolochko A.Р., Konovalov I.A. Provincial Administrations in the Local Governance System in Siberia in 1781–1895 (Structure, Authority, Activities). The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series History, 2019, vol. 29, pp. 57-64. https://doi.org/10.26516/2222-9124.2019.29.57 (in Russian)

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