M. A. Davydov Agrarian Reform of P. A. Stolypin: Numbers and People

Abstract: This article examines the little-studied problem of the history of Stolypin’s agrarian reform—the role of subjectivity in its realization. The author tries to clarify how much success or lack of success of the transformations depended on the qualitative composition of the land management institutions and their perception of reform on the whole. He shows that the personal qualities of the members of the Land Management Commissions were an important factor for determining the course of the reform in individual provinces and districts and, consequently, the numerical indices of land management. This factor could both contribute to the development of land management and hinder it. The agrarian Stolypin’s Reform was in essence an economic reform. However, it turned out to be in the epicenter of the political struggle and practically cut the educated class of the country in two. Political sympathies and antipathies of a multitude of people, obliged ex officio to participate in the work of the land management agencies, were undoubtedly reflected in their integrity regarding the conduct of transformation. Nevertheless, in spite of all the complexity, the reform developed positively.

Keywords: