Alimdzhanov B.A. The Discussion Around the Industrial Policy of the Russian Empire in the Turkestan General-Governorate

Abstract: The subject of research is the questions regarding the economic policy of the Russian Empire in Turkestan, in particular, the examination of the industrial policy of the metropolis in the region. In writing this article the author referenced for the first time in scientific use archival documents from the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the press of the time. The primary aim of this article is to present an overview of the debate between the periphery (provisionally called "liberal") and the capital ("conservative") press on the industrial policy of the Russian Empire in the middle Asian region. As the basis for this discussion the author took the articles of famous journalists from the beginning of the 20th century S. Lapin (local Turkestan journalist), E. Fedorov (Saint-Petersburg journalist) and others. In the author's view, the discussion between the local and capital press reflects the fight between opinions regarding the present and future industrial policy of the Russian Empire in Turkestan. The events were interpreted from the outcome of the general economic conditions in the Empire, as well as the widely used statistical and comparative historical methods. The author's particular contribution to this topic lies in that he proves, based on primary sources (archival documents, press) and a new reading of the historical documents, that the industrial policy of the Russian Empire in Turkestan had failed. The reason for this lies in the fact that the discussion between the "liberals" and "conservatives" of resolving the industrialisation of the peripheries were of a strictly ideological nature and this is why it could not have an influence on the most important decisions regarding the industrial policy of the government circles of the Empire.

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