The Muscovite ruling oligarchy of 1547-1564 : its composition, political behaviour and attitudes towards reform
In recent decades considerable progress has been made in elucidating the assumptions and the dynamics of Muscovite court politics, and further scrutiny is attempted in this enquiry into the ruling oligarchy of 1547-1564. Chapters 1 to 3 are devoted to groundwork. In Chapter 1 an introduction to the ruling oligarchy is provided against the background of Muscovy's contemporary government and population. The goal of territorial aggrandisement pursued by Muscovite rulers from Ivan HI favoured ~rationalisation~ of the central government and reforms of the army's discipline and technology; moreover, the wars of conquest left untouched no element of the population. Tsar Ivan and his exercise of authority were especially strongly affected: the precedents established by earlier rulers encouraged him to consider Muscovy his private votchina. but such an attitude became increasingly anachronistic as the realms expanded and the tasks of governing it grew too complex for any one man. During the Oprichnina he attempted to resolve this contradiction by ruling autocratically; autocratic rule and those circumstances favouring it by 1564 are the dissertation's main theme. Even before 1564 Ivan IV was the central actor in Muscovite
Myles, John Eric
Elite (Social sciences) ; History ; Oligarchy ; Politics and government ; Russia ; 16th century
The Muscovite ruling oligarchy of 1547-1564 : its composition, political behaviour and attitudes towards reform. In recent decades considerable progress has been made in elucidating the assumptions and the dynamics of Muscovite court politics, and further scrutiny is attempted in this enquiry into the ruling oligarchy of 1547-1564. Chapters 1 to 3 are devoted to groundwork. In Chapter 1 an introduction to the ruling oligarchy is provided against the background of Muscovy's contemporary government and population. The goal of territorial aggrandisement pursued by Muscovite rulers from Ivan HI favoured ~rationalisation~ of the central government and reforms of the army's discipline and technology; moreover, the wars of conquest left untouched no element of the population. Tsar Ivan and his exercise of authority were especially strongly affected: the precedents established by earlier rulers encouraged him to consider Muscovy his private votchina. but such an attitude became increasingly anachronistic as the realms expanded and the tasks of governing it grew too complex for any one man. During the Oprichnina he attempted to resolve this contradiction by ruling autocratically; autocratic rule and those circumstances favouring it by 1564 are the dissertation's main theme. Even before 1564 Ivan IV was the central actor in Muscovite
rule oligarchy composition political behaviour attitude_towards reform considerable progress_make elucidate assumption dynamic court politics scrutiny attempt enquiry ruling oligarchy devote groundwork introduction ruling oligarchy provide_background contemporary government population goal territorial pursue ruler favour rationalisation central_government reform army discipline technology moreover war conquest leave untouched element population exercise authority especially strongly affect precedent establish early ruler encourage consider private attitude become_increasingly anachronistic realm expand task govern grow complex man attempt_resolve contradiction rule autocratic rule main_theme even central actor