Rhetorical Practices of the State Duma of the Russian Empire: Features of the Transfer of European Parliamentary Traditions into the Russian Political Context (1906—1916)

Abstract

The article analyzes the influence of the European parliamentary experience on the process of formation of Russian parliamentarism and development of parliamentary rhetorical practices in late imperial Russia. Particular attention is paid to parliamentary rhetoric. In addition to the political context and the acuteness of certain public problems, it was greatly influenced by the nature of the meeting room in the Tauride Palace, the order of the sessions, and the professional skills of the speaker and the members of the presidium. Russian liberals, who were considered students of their “Western teachers”, acted as translators of European political experience in the first place. The channels for the spread of Western influence can be seen in the experience of Russians in Europe during their student years, during short private visits, or on official business. Books and the mass publication of translated literature on oratory were also of great importance in the transfer of rhetorical experience. In addition to considering the main channels for the transfer of Western parliamentary traditions, it is also important to analyze how the influence of European parliamentary practices was evaluated and interpreted by different political forces both inside and outside the Tauride Palace, especially during political debates.