The role and place of public organizations in establishment and development of the elements of civil society in Russia in late XIX – XX centuries (on the example of Perm Governorate)

Abstract

This article, based on the new research paradigm of the history of post-reform Russia, gives assessment to the role of public organizations in the course of establishment of civil society as one of the crucial elements of this phenomenon, which is aimed at laying the groundwork for personal development. Perm Governorate became one of the leading centers of civil development; the events held under the full support of Zemstvo institutions and municipality received a nationwide coverage. Using the examples of the work of Ural medical institutions and academic communities, the author reveals the process of their gradual engagement into the civil society system, and elicits their civil potential. Attention is turned to the high level of social coverage of the events held by public organizations, which is associated with the peculiarities of their composition, with the leading role played by democratic elements of the participants. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that this article is first the within Ural historiography to give assessment to the level of effectiveness of the delivered events, as well as determine the peculiarities of participation of Ural intelligentsia in the work of educational and enlightenment societies. Emphasis is made on the common features of public organizations, which allow assessing their work as a manifestation of own social activity, as well as formation of favorable conditions for personal development. The conclusion is substantiation on the significant influence of public organizations and associations on further development of the elements of civil society in Ural, creation of essential prerequisites for social development of the territories, and engagement of active social elements into the system of civil relations.