Earth has always been the subject of numerous disputes and conflicts. It was because of the fertile areas located at the mouths of large rivers that the first wars began. Later, the feudal lords sought to add more and more territories to their possessions, subordinating their inhabitants to themselves. Thus, they proved the fullness of their power. This is how the states appeared and grew stronger. Thus, land ownership has always been one of the most important signs of we alth and power. This situation continues today.
Basic principles of land ownership in Russia
The time when everything was common to all members of society did not last very long. It is human nature to want to enjoy the benefits of civilization alone and independently. It was because of this desire that land ownership began to take shape. What does this concept mean?
Land ownership in Russia is the possession of a plot by a certain person (both physical and legal) on the basis of ownership, lease, etc.e.
During the reign of kings, there were different categories of this concept. So, there was church, monastery, city, township land ownership and, of course, private. Despite the fact that Russia was considered a patriarchal country that was reluctant to adopt the best practices of foreign states, its system of territorial distribution was much more civilized than, for example, in Ethiopia. There, all the land was completely in the hands of the autocrat, who, in a certain way, leased it to his subjects. All taxes and taxes collected from it were accumulated in the state treasury.
The concept of fiefdom
Until about the 15th century, there was one type of private land ownership in our country. They were the patrimony. If we compare it and land ownership provided on the terms of service, then there is undoubtedly a difference. The man disposed of the patrimony on the basis of property rights and could pass it on to his descendants. Hereditary land ownership in Russia meant the creation within its boundaries of a certain administrative apparatus that controlled the collection of taxes and the organization of the work of the peasants.
The very origin of the word "patrimony" (paternal property) implied its main feature - the possibility of inheritance. This form of land tenure originated in Kievan Rus. As a rule, princes and noble members of the squad, as well as boyars, became the owners. After the adoption of Christianity by Russia, church estates also appeared.
During political fragmentationstate this form of ownership became the basis of feudalism. The lands belonging to the princes were constantly expanding due to grants, ransoms and seizures of neighboring territories. It also led to a significant increase in the influence of the owners of estates on the political and economic life of Russia.
Land tenure on a contingency basis: what is it?
In the 15th century, the manorial system emerges. It implied the provision of land allotments to persons serving for the benefit of the state. It was also a reward for conscientious performance of official duties. At the discretion of the sovereign, land ownership provided on the terms of service could be either temporary (that is, while a person works) or permanent (passed to a person for life).
The estate is what?
In the middle of the 15th century, a new form of land ownership arose in Russia. An estate is a special type of property, possession of a plot, the right to which was granted for military or public service. There were analogues of this concept in Europe. So, in Spain the estate was called hacienda, and in Portugal - hacienda.
In order to separate this form of land tenure from others, for example, from a patrimony, it is necessary to highlight its main features. These include:
- Personal character. The estate was granted to a specific person, and was not assigned to a particular position.
- Temporary. The man owned the estate only fora certain period, which most often ended with the termination of state or military service.
- Conditional character. The estate was given to a person for a reason, but in exchange for the fact that he would fulfill certain obligations in relation to the state.
- Inability to dispose. A person could live on the territory of the estate, carry out agricultural work there, hunt, etc. But he did not have the right to transfer land ownership provided on the terms of service, by inheritance, to sell or exchange rights. If an official was fired from his job, he was forced to leave the estate along with his property.
These are the main distinguishing features of the estate.
Land ownership in modern Russia
A lot has changed in our time. Now a citizen of the Russian Federation (as well as any foreign person) can own a plot of land on the following grounds:
- ownership;
- right of lifetime inheritable possession;
- lease right;
- perpetual use right.
This possibility is legally enshrined in the Constitution of Russia (Article 35).
