Organic work'' under the conditions of June 3 system: political experience of the State Duma's Deputy from Tomsk Province N.V. Nekrasov

The article is devoted to the analysis of N.V. Nekrasov's deputy activity in the State Duma. N.V. Nekrasov's political experience allows not only to refine the understanding of his role and place in Russia's public policy in the early 20th century, but also to evaluate a real chance to implement liberal reforms through law-making in the State Duma formed on the basis of the electoral law of June 3, 1907. As a deputy of the Third Duma from the province of Tomsk N.V. Nekrasov began his work with the firm intention to reject the way of ''irresponsible opposition'' and to strive for improvement of legislation by introducing bills that could actually be passed. N.V. Nekrasov found the tactics of compromise in lawmaking desirable, and clearly defined its limits, but the issues of civil rights and liberties were left beyond these bounds. These tactical concepts were fully embodied in concrete actions and speeches of the deputy as a member of the Duma's committees and the Siberian parliamentary group, and a representative from the faction of the Party of People's Freedom. However, the results of the "organic work" in the Third Duma were modest and did not meet expectations of N.V. Nekrasov. Nevertheless, becoming sure in the inability of the State Duma to make constructive legislative activity, he was not disappointed in the whole idea of parliamentarianism. In an effort to implement the liberal ideal of the people's representatives N.V. Nekrasov focused his efforts as a member of the Duma of the fourth convocation on upholding the principle of universal suffrage. The symptoms of the increasing oppositional feelings of Tomsk province deputy due to the national crisis in the country resulted in the refusal of the tactics of compromise and cooperation with the leftist factions in the Duma, and appeal to the Kadet Party to move "from the passive defense to offense''. The evolution of tactical positions of N.V. Nekrasov - from striving for organic work in the Third Duma to the obvious skepticism regarding its legislative capacity and ability to implement liberal reforms - can be seen as a subjective reflection of the real role of the political institution. All attempts of dialogue and constructive cooperation with the ruling circles, undertaken by the people holding the same views as Tomsk deputy, ended in failure. The authoritarian regime appeared to ignore the compromise solutions of the pressing problems proposed by the Cadets, thereby blocking their reform efforts. In this situation, the State Duma provided some imitation of parliamentarianism, actually far from being its embodiment.

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