Search

The first forestry experimental stations in Europe appeared in the 1860-1870s. Russia also had draft proposals for such stations around this time. Discussions about forestry experimental stations began in the 1870s, soon after the Forestry Society of St. Petersburg was established with the support of the Forestry Department. Leading experts in forestry proposed that two 'central' experimental stations (at the Forestry Institute and Petrovskaya Agricultural Academy) should be established and that these should be linked to a further 20 'local' stations. The proposal described in detail the organization of the stations, especially the meteorological department, the model for which was the Bavarian forest-meteorology network created by Ernst Ebermayer. The Russian proposal also contained new ideas on how to study soil moisture dynamics under the forest canopy. Despite productive discussions the network of Russian forestry experimental stations never materialized - probably because of the Russo- Turkish war. The institutionalization of forestry experimentation eventually took place in Russia in the 1890s. This was in response to the 1891-1892 drought and famine, which prompted the organization of the so-called Special Expedition under the supervision of Vasily Dokuchaev. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay focuses on political satire in the Russian press for 1905-1906, especially in the illustrated periodical "Bugbear (Zhupel)," using the theory of cultural production espoused by French philosopher Pierre Bourdieu. It considers how "Bugbear" was publicly received in Russia and how its publication influenced the reputations of its contributors. Other subjects considered include censorship policies, the 1905 Russian Revolution, publisher Sergei Iuritsyn, and the October Manifesto and the Temporary Press Rules.

The article discusses the development of conservatism in Russia in the 19th century, including its diverse ideological origins. Links between conservatism and nationalism are discussed, and Russian conservatism is compared with its counterpart in Europe. Recent historiography surrounding Russian conservatism is briefly reviewed, and 19th-century trends in Russian political thought are then discussed, with the Decembrist uprising of 1925 seen as a turning point between the influence of progressivism and the ascendancy of conservatism.

The article presents an examination into the role of the intelligentsia social class within the contextual structure of the Russian Imperial culture. The structural definition of empire as a dichotomy between central and peripheral power and influence is highlighted, applying to the interactions between the intelligentsia of Russia and Poland between the 18th and early 20th centuries. Focus is given to the nationalistic elements of intellectual and cultural influence which developed within this system, leading to a conflict between Russian hegemony and diverse national interests which eventually led to the collapse of the Russian state in 1917.

An introduction is presented to this special issue on topics related to the history of science in Russia arising from the November 2012 European Conference for the History of Science held in Athens, Greece.