The Era of Counter-Reform

Abstract

This chapter turns to the era of counter-reforms conducted by Alexander II's son and successor, Alexander III. To a certain degree, the counter-reforms reflected not just a shift in political attitudes but also what has been termed “increasing technological capacity for control.” As this capacity increased, the Russian state attempted to rectify its traditional weakness and to establish the type of centralized administration that had previously been lacking. One aspect of this was “a dramatic increase in the sheer numbers of officials and bureaucrats.” This was not necessarily a bad thing in terms of governmental efficiency, but many conservatives resented the resulting intrusion of state officials into areas of life that had traditionally been left to various forms of local self-government. Conservatism in this era thus often acquired an anti-bureaucratic flavor.