Continuation. Beginning at No. 4, 1999 The problems of the viability and prospects of parliamentarism in Russian conditions are now in the focus of public attention. This interest is primarily associated with changes in value priorities and the complex processes of the formation of a new political power. For their understanding, it is important to turn to our historical roots, traditions, and peculiarities of the development and functioning of pre-parliamentary forms of legislative power and popular representation in Russia throughout the centuries-old national history-from the emergence of statehood to October 1905. The formation of representative legislative power in Russia has stretched over several centuries. Its beginnings can be considered an advisory body under the prince, which consisted, as a rule, of boyars and noble vigilantes. Its main function is to advise the prince when discussing mainly military issues related to campaigns, tactics of a particular battle, etc. Economic and legal issues were discussed extremely rarely at the council. According to them, the prince made decisions independently. There was a form of popular decision - making-veche. Some scholars tend to view the veche as the initial form of legislative power, the first manifestations of Russian parliamentarism. But, I think, the point of view of the authors of the two-volume "Political History" is more convincing, who believe that decisions on specific issues were made at the veche, and not laws. Indeed, historical sources that have come down to our time indicate that at citywide meetings (there were no veche in rural areas), very specific questions were usually raised about campaigns, invitations to reign or expel an objectionable prince, payment of tribute, and others. Legislative acts were developed and approved by the Prince himself. Yaroslav the Wise's Russkaya Pravda , the first set of Russian laws, was not adopted at the veche. In all likelihood, it was developed personally by Y ... Read more