Editing Russian Empire
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The State Duma, which forms the Lower House of the Russian parliament, consists of 442 members, elected by an exceedingly complicated process. The membership is manipulated as to secure an overwhelming majority of the wealthy (especially the landed classes). Each province of the empire returns a certain number of members; added to these are those returned by several large cities. The members of the Duma are chosen by electoral colleges and these, in turn, are elected in assemblies of the three classes: landed proprietors, citizens, and peasants. In these assemblies the wealthiest proprietors sit in person whilst the lesser proprietors are represented by delegates. The urban population is divided into two categories according to taxable wealth, and elects delegates directly to the college of the Governorates. The peasants are represented by delegates selected by the regional subdivisions called ''volosts''. Workmen are treated in special manner with every industrial concern employing fifty hands or over electing one or more delegates to the electoral college. | The State Duma, which forms the Lower House of the Russian parliament, consists of 442 members, elected by an exceedingly complicated process. The membership is manipulated as to secure an overwhelming majority of the wealthy (especially the landed classes). Each province of the empire returns a certain number of members; added to these are those returned by several large cities. The members of the Duma are chosen by electoral colleges and these, in turn, are elected in assemblies of the three classes: landed proprietors, citizens, and peasants. In these assemblies the wealthiest proprietors sit in person whilst the lesser proprietors are represented by delegates. The urban population is divided into two categories according to taxable wealth, and elects delegates directly to the college of the Governorates. The peasants are represented by delegates selected by the regional subdivisions called ''volosts''. Workmen are treated in special manner with every industrial concern employing fifty hands or over electing one or more delegates to the electoral college. | ||
- | In the college itself the voting for the Duma is by secret ballot and a simple majority carries the day. Since the majority consists of conservative elements (the landowners and urban delegates), the progressives | + | In the college itself the voting for the Duma is by secret ballot and a simple majority carries the day. Since the majority consists of conservative elements (the landowners and urban delegates), the progressives habe little chance of representation at all save for the curious provision that one member at least in each government is to be chosen from each of the five classes represented in the college. |
The Fundamental Laws of 1906 severely limit the power of the Duma. The Fundamental Laws state in part that the Emperor's ministers cannot be appointed by, and are not responsible to, the Duma, thus denying responsible government at the executive level. Furthermore, the Emperor has the power to dismiss the Duma and announce new elections whenever he wishes. | The Fundamental Laws of 1906 severely limit the power of the Duma. The Fundamental Laws state in part that the Emperor's ministers cannot be appointed by, and are not responsible to, the Duma, thus denying responsible government at the executive level. Furthermore, the Emperor has the power to dismiss the Duma and announce new elections whenever he wishes. |