The right against Stolypin: traditionalists estimation of Stolypins program of economy modernization

There were manydetailed investigations of Stolypins reforms in the sphere of economics in the columns of the right press at the beginning of the 20thcentury. The traditionalists attitude to capitalism and to capitalists themselves was ambiguous. On the one hand, the right saw opponents,who rival with the nobleman-landowner in influence and power. On the other hand, they were their allies in their struggle with theworker-socialist aspiring to expropriate both capitalists and landowners. Such duality defined their ambiguous assessment of the taxsystem modernization offered by P.A. Stolypin. Appraisal of the tax changes depended on the fact whether they were considered as athreat to all proprietors or (especially, when it came to the income tax) they were regarded as a measure affecting generally commercialand industrial interests. Among the most important events in the sphere of economics, the agrarian reform suggested by P.A. Stolypinhad a crucial significance. Monarchists gave it an indistinct appraisal. As any criticism of national policy meant opposition to the tsar,and as behind the figure of P.A. Stolypin there was the Emperor, moderate right-wingers tried to remain neutral, and in some cases theyeven stated support to the governmental initiatives. On the other hand, the extreme right wing met the reform with undisguised indignation.First of all, press organs of traditionalists opposed the violent destruction of a community. Besides they emphasized the harmfulconsequences of farmstead for the mentality of peasants. No less important constituent was the activity of the Peasants Land Bank,which was criticised by the right. In the judgment of the traditionalists the majority of the peasants who had bought land by means of thebank did not prove to be able to make fixed-date payment regularly, and the land was put up for auction sale or remained the property ofthe bank. Resettlement policy, as a part of the agrarian reform, received unconditional support and approval of the right. However, thedifficulties in the resettlement business became the reason for pejorative criticism of the government, which executed the will of theEmperor badly. Thus, in the camp of the right there was no agreement of opinion concerning the economic transformations ofP.A. Stolypin. In the majority they tended to keep the position of benevolent neutrality, repudiating the positive prospects ofP.A. Stolypins economic policy. However, traditional desire of the right to preserve everything as before inevitably caused attackagainst the government measures directed at transformation of Russia. From our point of view, constant traditionalists assaults on thereformative activity of the cabinet of ministers, criticism of the most vulnerable aspects of P.A. Stolypins reforms played a significantrole in the formation of negative public opinion towards them and in rejection of P.A. Stolypins variant of modernization of Russia bythe society, as a consequence.

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