Konstantin and Ivan Aksakovs' thoughts on the Russian State

Abstract

The article is devoted to the publications from the collection of articles “Slavophils’ Theory of State” (Moscow, 1898): “The Note on the Internal Affairs in Russia Submitted to the Emperor Alexander II” by K.S. Aksakov (1817–1860), the controversial article “Slavophils’ Theory of State (a letter to the editorial staff)” by Professor A.D. Gradovsky (1841–1889), “The Answer to Mr. Gradovsky about his Analysis of  “The Note” by K.S. Aksakov” by I.S. Aksakov (1823–1886). On the basis of the given publications theoretical views of the brothers Aksakov on the Russian State and criticism of their views by A.D. Gradovsky are discussed.

Being one of the first representatives of socio-legal thought in Russia I.S. Aksakov introduced the so-called third element – “society” into Slavophils’ doctrine alongside with such notions as “land” and “state”. In I.S. Aksakov’s opinion the structure of the Russian State should be based on the combination of the absolute autocratic power of the Russian Tsar and a vast development of the system of self-regulation which does not leave a chance for bureaucracy and officials’ arbitrariness to prosper. Besides, the necessity of the legal order should go along with the ideal of “internal truth” which must determine external juridical state laws.