The estate system is a special order of state structure in the history of all countries. In what way does it manifest itself? How is an estate different from a class? We will analyze in more detail later in the article.
Different from class
The estate system is the social structure of society, which provides for certain rights and privileges for some people. As a rule, they receive them from birth.
A class is a social group that has a socio-economic orientation. The concept refers to property in social production and the method of appropriation of the surplus product. However, the position of the class is not fixed in inheritance. For example, let's take a representative of the bourgeoisie. A person owns huge factories, many people work for him, he enjoys a privileged position in a society based on we alth. However, in the event of ruin, he becomes an ordinary proletarian if he goes to work for hire. His children do not enjoy benefits in the state.
The estate system is a different concept. People receive a set of privileges from birth. Under such a system, nothing depends on the talents and successes of the individual. If a man was born a serf, then break out of bondageit was almost impossible. Of course, there are many cases in history when certain people who proved themselves in battles or in the service received the privileges of the nobles. They were distinguished by a special talent, so they won the right to break out of their class. However, such cases were only exceptions. The main difference from the class is that certain rights were enshrined from birth in the law. And there was nothing to be done about it, as deviation from the general rules undermined the power of the ruling elites.
Consequences of the transition from one estate to another
The estate system is very conservative in nature, more viable. If, with the class division of society, people have vertical mobility, they can move from one class to another, then with a class system this is impossible. Sometimes, at the behest of a "mad tyrant", as the subjects of a ruler who violated general principles were called, some "lower" people received indulgences and moved from a lower class to a higher one. However, society, as a rule, treated such changes extremely negatively. This was seen as a threat to order. The rest of the representatives of the class were removed from such a "lucky one". Former comrades-in-arms, who zealously watched this, also denied such individuals. Therefore, often people who were lucky enough to move, for example, from grooms to counts, sooner or later lost everything.
A striking example is Menshikov, a friend and colleague of Peter the Great. At one time, he was the second person in the state with enormous we alth and titles. However, society nevertheless pointed out to the former shepherd hisplace at birth, despite all merit. Menshikov died in exile and poverty, and his children were never able to get back into the elite, despite their huge connections and influence.
The main estates in Russia
Until the 17th century, estates were not yet finally fixed for the following reasons:
- feudal fragmentation;
- Mongol-Tatar invasion;
- long process of formation of a single state.
All of the above historical periods cannot serve as a basis for the formation of closed groups of people with assigned rights.
Fixing estates
The estate system is an obligatory development of law, which consolidates the existing situation. Without stability, a single state, a single apparatus of coercion and suppression, it is impossible to form it. Of course, before that, certain social groups also existed with their own rights and obligations. However, in the absence of legal support from a strong state and stability, such groups were unstable.
It is conditionally possible to distinguish the main groups before the 17th century:
- Boyars. They owned the land on the rights of "patrimony", that is, inheritance law. Perhaps the brightest representative of the estate in its classic form. The status of a boyar was inherited. However, he gave the right to land, and not to a privilege in society. The land allotment of the boyars was fragmented with each generation, and their role in politics was fading away.
- Nobles. Initially, military personnel who were given land forservice. It is they who will subsequently become the backbone of the autocracy, and their privileges in society will be legally secured.
- Cossacks. Their task is to protect the borders. For this they received land and liberties. But the estate was not formally fixed. To the extent of uselessness, the government constantly tried to abolish their status. A strong state needs a permanent centralized army, with strict control. The Cossacks did not meet these requirements and often turned into enemies of the authorities.
- The clergy.
- Peasantry. Restrictions on rights are first mentioned in the judicial code of Ivan III. The Cathedral Code of 1649 finally enslaves the peasants without the right to choose.
Final formation of the estate monarchy
The estate system of Russia in the 17th century was finally formed. Now all social groups receive legal status, which is inherited. The main estates of the 17th century:
- Boyars.
- Nobles.
- The clergy.
- Peasantry.
- Posad people.
- Merchants.
Gradually, the class system became more and more complicated, took on a finished look. Some gradually left the political scene (boyars), while others, on the contrary, acquired privileges. Each ruler slightly corrected the class system, but its final collapse is observed only by the end of the 19th century, when society finally begins to divide into classes.
