On the Roots of the Russian State Idea: Tatishchev and Shcherbatov (The Empire from the Perpective of Two Historians of the 18th Century)
Abstract
The paper deals with a conception of state by two most significant domestic Russian historians of the 18th century Vasily Nikitich Tatishchev (1686-1750) and Mikhail Mikhailovich Shcherbatov (1733-1790), two representative members of the noble intelligentsia of the era of "europeanization". Both Tatishchev and Shcherbatov believe in the capacity of human reason to formulate a functional model of state for Russia, which would be based on a system of just legislation.
In the context of history of Russian political thinking they formulate a modern imperial idea which is not directly linked to a particular nation or confession. In this way they liberate the idea of state from the element of exclusiveness characteristic of the concept of Orthodox Empire of Muscovite Russia.
They deal with a diverse character of Russia as a territory of various ethnic groups, cultures and religions, even in the historical perspective. Their reflections on the country after the ascension of Peter the Great (1682-1725), its potentials and perspectives is based on the openness of historical horizon, reform-minded ethos and optimistic expectations (in spite of Shcherbatov's criticism of some detrimental effects of the Petrine reforms).
Both Tatishchev and Shcherbatov represent a new way of elaborating on domestic history characteristic of the post-Petrine era, which inclines to the European civilization and stems from the concept of open culture.