Проблема державного устрою і поділу влади в теорії Б. М. Чичеріна

Abstract

Zenkin M. V. The problem of state structure and separation of powers in the theoryof B. N. Chicherin. – Article.The article is devoted to the analysis of the system of separation of powers in the theory of the first politicalscientist on the territory of the Russian Empire Boris Chicherin. His vision of the state structure of Russia isanalyzed within the framework of his liberal and Westernizing concept. In his political theory, views are noticeablethat anticipated M. Weber’s theory of legitimacy and the problem of political cultures developed byG. Almond and S. Verba.The political scientist analyzes the branches of government, pointing out the need to separate one fromthe other, as a guarantee of the realization of the rights and freedoms of a citizen. Indicates the need for notjust a mechanical separation of powers, but equal cooperation of branches for the most effective organizationof public administration, trying to transfer the system of “checks and balances” to the domestic political soil.The problems of coexistence of the state with civil society, the political elite, which Chicherin calls “politicalaristocracy”, are also touched upon.Chicherin compares the constitutional monarchy and the republic and concludes that the type of form ofgovernment is not so much important as the reasonable organization of state administration and the relationshipbetween the state and civil society. Considering the constitutional monarchy, the best and most stableform of government, he considers its development and transformation through the institution of parliamentarism,where each of the two chambers plays a special role, the dominant of which is the lower. The stabilityand influence of the upper chamber is ensured by a combination of various methods of its formation: byinheritance, by position (state dignitaries and chief judges), by the choice and appointment of the monarch.Obviously, his preference for English parliamentarism, however, pointing to the insufficiently high level ofpolitical culture of his contemporary political aristocracy, and Russia's proximity to France, makes a preferencefor the French political path.