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Civil Service in Soviet Russia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2013

Bertram W. Maxwell
Bertram W. Maxwell
Affiliation:
Washburn College
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Extract

Before the Revolution. Peter the Great, among other attempts to westernize Russia, introduced in 1722 a “table of ranks” consisting of fourteen classes of civil officials (chinovniki) ranging from mere filing clerks to privy councillors. Advancement in civil service also brought with it advancement in social status, but few persons of plebeian origin could reach the higher ranks. Officials attaining the rank of “actual state councillor” automatically became hereditary nobles. The old nobility resented this “corruption of blood;” but with the growth of the Empire, the nobles alone were not sufficiently numerous to render all the civil service necessary for the administration of the state. The admission of non-nobles into civil service was, however, rigidly restricted, not so much by educational qualifications as by stipulations that sons of officials, military officers, orthodox clergy, merchants of the first class, and members of the learned professions should be given preference. Others were admitted provided they were graduated from middle and higher educational institutions with honor (gold medal). Jews were in general excluded, exceptions being made in the case of the medical service.

Type
Public Administration
Information
American Political Science Review , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , April 1932 , pp. 318 - 324
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 1932

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References

1 The table of ranks was abolished on December 10, 1917.

2 The People's Commissariat of Workman-Peasant Inspection, also known from its abbreviation as “Rabkin,” or R.K.I. It is an auditing and censoring organ which works in conjunction with the various branches of the Control Commission of the Communist party. For a brief discussion of this unique institution, see Harper, , Civic Training in Soviet Russia, pp. 126–129Google Scholar.

3 Elistratov, A. I., Administrativnoe Pravo, p. 125 nGoogle Scholar.

4 Sobraniye Uzakconenii, 1917, No. 3; 1918, No. 15, art. 217; 1921, No. 62, art. 792. Elistratov, A. I.. Administrativnoe Pravo, pp. 123–125Google Scholar.

5 Sobraniye Uzakonenii, 1927, No. 59, art. 588; No. 97, art. 647.

6 Sobraniye Uzakonenii, 1926, No. 66, art. 502; No. 77, art. 627.

7 The following services are exempt from the above rule: the postal-telegraph service (with exception of those employed in the central bureau); teachers, lecturers, librarians in all scientific, educational, and social institutions; artists and musicians in state theatres and studios; physicians in various institutions of the People's Commissariat of Health; agricultural experts, surveyors, entomologists, and various technicians in experimental stations of the Commissariat of Agriculture. Sobraniye Uzakonenii, 1924, No. 1, art. 2.

8 Exceptions are made in many cases of scientific, technical, and educational activities such as lecturing by experts, writing for and editing periodicals, medical practice, and accessory service in coöperatives of a given department. Membership in special and permanent commissions of inter-bureau or bureau character may be permitted if in accordance with rules laid down by directors of the respective departments. The participation of experts of other departments in the work of the Gosplan (State Planning Commission) is encouraged. Elistratov, A. I., Administrativnoe Pravo, p. 127 nGoogle Scholar.

9 Sobraniye Uzakonenii, 1926, No. 63, art. 494.

10 The learned professions, service in the militia (police), G.P.U., and military forces are regulated by special decrees. The service in the learned professions is regulated by a decree of January 21, 1924, and positions of instructors in labor faculties by a decree of June 28 of the same year.

11 Since 1925, common-school teachers, librarians, and other educational workers have received a pension after twenty-five years of service. Those remaining on duty after the specified period receive half the amount of their pension. Upon the death of the pensioner, his dependents are entitled to specified parts of the pension. Generally, teachers' pensions amount to about 240 rubles a year.

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