The policy of zemstvo liberalism of northern Ukraine in the field of property insurance of the population(70-80s of the 19th century)

Abstract

The article highlights the main imperatives of the policy of zemstvo liberalism of northern Ukraine in the field of property insurance of the population. The methodology of the work is based on the methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, historical-descriptive method, content analysis, and problem-chronological method. The author came to the conclusion that the problems of property insurance of the population occupied a prominent place in the coordinate system of the social policy of the zemstvo liberal movement of northern Ukraine in the 70s-80s. 19th century. At the end of the 70s. 19th century., due to the novelty of the matter, the absence of a stable system in the field, zemstvo liberals used palliative forms of activity, promptly responding to current excesses and ensuring proper payment of compensation for losses to property owners. A great achievement of the opposition aristocrats during this period can be considered the introduction of the institute of zemstvo insurance agents - hired employees who directly dealt with the entire complex of affairs in the field, which was in the stage of formation. In the 80s. the policy of liberal zemstvos changed noticeably. The progressives advocated a clear demarcation of the competence of the county and provincial zemstvos in insurance matters, through the distribution of powers; they retained the right to combine the positions of insurance agent and representative of zemstvo institutions, which positively affected the nature of relations with the peasantry, as the absolute majority of the population. A fundamentally important milestone was the development and approval of the Statute of Zemstvo Insurance with the participation of oppositionists. Through the personal efforts of representatives of the liberal nobility, a voluntary system of zemstvo insurance was approved as more democratic, financially profitable and easy to administer. Liberal aristocrats made efforts to combat manifestations of abuse of office and corruption among officials of the insurance system. As a result of the ascetic efforts of members of the opposition aristocratic front, the insurance system in the north of Left-Bank Ukraine gained the desired stability and began to develop. A vivid example of this is the conclusion of insurance agreements between the Chernihiv Provincial Zemstvo Government and the Noble Land Bank of the Russian Empire.