Between Tsar and People : Educated Society and the Quest for Public Identity in Late Imperial Russia

This interdisciplinary collection of essays on the social and cultural life of late imperial Russia describes the struggle of new elites to take up a "middle position" in society--between tsar and people. During this period autonomous social and cultural institutions, pluralistic political life, and a dynamic economy all seemed to be emerging: Russia was experiencing a sense of social possibility akin to that which Gorbachev wishes to reanimate in the Soviet Union. But then, as now, diversity had as its price the potential for political disorder and social dissolution. Analyzing the attempt of educated Russians to forge new identities, this book reveals the social, cultural, and regional fragmentation of the times. The contributors are Harley Balzer, John E. Bowlt, Joseph Bradley, William C. Brumfield, Edith W. Clowes, James M. Curtis, Ben Eklof, Gregory L. Freeze, Abbott Gleason, Samuel D. Kassow, Mary Louise Loe, Louise McReynolds, Sidney Monas, John O. Norman, Daniel T. Orlovsky, Thomas C. Owen, Alfred Rieber, Bernice G. Rosenthal, Christine Ruane, Charles E. Timberlake, William Wagner, and James L. West. Samuel D. Kassow has written a conclusion to the volume. This Interdisciplinary Collection Of Essays On The Social And Cultural Life Of Late Imperial Russia Describes The Struggle Of New Elites To Take Up A Middle Position In Society--between Tsar And People. During This Period Autonomous Social And Cultural Institutions, Pluralistic Political Life, And A Dynamic Economy All Seemed To Be Emerging: Russia Was Experiencing A Sense Of Social Possibility Akin To That Which Gorbachev Wishes To Reanimate In The Soviet Union. But Then, As Now, Diversity Had As Its Price The Potential For Political Disorder And Social Dissolution. Analyzing The Attempt Of Educated Russians To Forge New Identities, This Book Reveals The Social, Cultural, And Regional Fragmentation Of The Times. I. The Problem -- Introduction : The Problem Of The Middle In Late Imperial Russian Society / Samuel D. Kassow, James L. West, And Edith W. Clowes -- The Terms Of Russian Social History / Abbott Gleason -- The Twilit Middle Class Of Nineteenth-century Russia / Sidney Monas -- Ii. The Search For The Russian Bourgeoisie -- The Riabushinsky Circle : Burzhuaziia And Obshchestvennost' In Late Imperial Russia / James L. West -- The Search For A Russian Orthodox Work Ethic / Bernice Glatzer Rosenthal -- Impediments To A Borgeois Consciousness In Russia, 1880-1905 : The Estate Structure, Ethnic Diversity, And Economic Regionalism / Thomas C. Owen -- Iii. Merchant Patronage And Social Consciousness -- Pavel Tretiakov And Merchant Art Patronage, 1850-1900 / John O. Norman -- The Moscow Art Market / John E. Bowlt -- Iv. The Emergence Of A Civil Society -- Voluntary Associations, Civic Culture And Obshchestvennost' In Moscow / Joseph Bradley -- Ideology, Identity And The Emergence Of A Middle Class / William G. Wagner -- The Zemstvo And The Development Of A Russian Middle Class / Charles E. Timberlake -- V. The Professionalization Of The Intelligentsia -- The Problem Of Professions In Imperial Russia / Harley Balzer -- Cultural Pioneers And Professionals : The Teacher In Society / Christine Ruane And Ben Eklof -- Vi. The Creation Of A Public Culture Beneath The Elites -- Going To The Intelligentsia : The Church And Its Urban Mission In Post-reform Russia / Gregory L. Freeze -- V.m. Doroshevich : The Newspaper Journalist And The Development Of Public Opinion In Civil Society / Louise Mcreynolds -- The Lower Middle Class Strata In Revolutionary Russia / Daniel Orlovsky -- Vii. New Social Sensibilites In The Arts -- Social Discourse In The Moscow Art Theater / Edith W. Clowes -- Redefining The Intellectual's Role : Maksim Gorky And The Streda Circle / Mary Louise Loe -- Building For The Bourgeoisie : The Quest For A Modern Style In Russian Architecture / William C. Brumfield -- A Place For Us : Embourgeoisement And The Art Of Konstantin Korovin / James M. Curtis -- Viii. Conclusions -- The Sedimentary Society / Alfred J. Rieber -- Russia's Unrealized Civil Society / Samuel D. Kassow. Edited By Edith W. Clowes, Samuel D. Kassow, And James L. West. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Presents an interdisciplinary collection of essays on the social and cultural life of late imperial Russia. This book describes the struggle of elites to take up a "middle position" between the tsar and people. It analyzes the attempt of educated Russians to forge new identities, and the social, cultural, and regional fragmentation of the times.