Integrating Imperial Space: The Russian Customs System in the 19th Century

During the 19th century, Russian administrators and businessmen envisioned an integrated imperial space, but it highlighted the administration's weakness. The book explores the challenges of harmonizing regional economic regimes and how it limited the use of imperial administrative practices, leading to the nationalization of the empire's economic space.

Format: Hardback
Length: 279 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG

In the captivating second half of the 19th century, the minds of Russian administrators and businessmen were captivated by visions of an infrastructurally integrated imperial space. This ambitious endeavor aimed to unlock the economic and political potential of the vast Russian Empire, while simultaneously revealing its administrative weaknesses. The book delves into the challenges faced by the Tsarist administration in harmonizing the diverse regional economic regimes within its vast landed empire. It examines the competing logics surrounding imperial space and showcases how the modern project of an infrastructurally integrated space significantly constrained the use of imperial administrative practices and hastened the nationalization of the Russian Empire's economic realm.

The Tsarist administration grappled with the task of consolidating a vast and diverse empire, characterized by a patchwork of regional economic systems. Each region had its own customs, traditions, and economic interests, making it challenging to establish a unified and efficient administrative framework. The book explores the various strategies employed by the Tsarist government to address these challenges.

One approach was to promote the development of a centralized bureaucracy, which aimed to streamline government operations and eliminate regional disparities. However, this approach faced resistance from local elites who feared the loss of their autonomy and power. The Tsarist government also attempted to impose a uniform economic policy across the empire, which aimed to promote industrialization and economic growth. However, this policy was met with opposition from regional interests who preferred to maintain their traditional industries and trade networks.

Another challenge the Tsarist administration faced was the need to balance the interests of different ethnic groups within the empire. The empire was composed of a diverse array of nationalities, each with its own cultural, linguistic, and religious traditions. The Tsarist government attempted to promote a sense of unity and loyalty among these groups through policies such as Russification, which aimed to promote the use of the Russian language and culture. However, this approach often alienated other ethnic groups, leading to tensions and conflicts.

The book also examines the role of technology in shaping the development of imperial space. The introduction of railways, steamships, and telegraphs facilitated the movement of people and goods across the empire, enabling the Tsarist government to exert greater control over its territories. However, these technologies also created new challenges, such as the need to manage infrastructure and maintain communication networks.

In conclusion, the book provides a valuable insight into the challenges faced by the Tsarist administration in harmonizing the diverse regional economic regimes within its vast landed empire. It demonstrates how the modern project of an infrastructurally integrated space limited the leeway in resorting to imperial administrative practices and accelerated the nationalization of the Russian Empire's economic space. The book's analysis of the competing logics towards imperial space sheds light on the complex dynamics of power and governance in 19th-century Russia and offers valuable lessons for contemporary policymakers and historians.

Dimension: 235 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783525302088