This book is the first full account of the development of rural self-government in Russia from the emancipation of the serfs to its bureaucratisation in the counter-reforms of 1889–90. Through analysis of central and provincial perceptions of local self-government and conflicting ideologies of reform. Professor Pearson challenges the conventional view of the counter-reforms as a concession to gentry class interests and a reaction against 'zemstvo' political activity. The study illuminates the rural administrative breakdown during Russia's 'crisis of autocracy', beginning in the late 1870s, and reinterprets the role of the landed gentry, prominent state officials, and key commissions, ministries and administrative ideologies in the debates leading to the counter-reforms.

"Pearson contributes an important study on an important subject, Tsarist Russia's effort to develop effective local government in the late 19th century...Based in large part on archival research, the work demonstrates also complete command of the extensive secondary literature and offers a rich critique of other recent works on the subject..." Choice