The development of local self-government in Russia in the late XVII - first quarter of XVIII century

On the basis of analysis of normative-legal acts, with the involvement of Russian scientists of XIX - beginning of XX centuries and results of modern studies of the development of local self-government in the Russian Empire of the XVII - first quarter of XVIII century the article is focused on issues of regulatory-legal regulation, the ratio of state and local interests in the activities of local administration bodies, relations of the crown (appointed by the Central government, the Czar) and elected bodies of local governance. The Author reveals the motivation of the central government (the Czar) to the formation of a new local government system, its features, functions. The legal bases and the principles of election of officers of local authorities are also discussed. It is concluded that the attempt to introduce in Russia the local municipal city self-government on foreign models was unsuccessful. The Author expresses an opinion on the limited nature of elected bodies of local governance, the primacy of the interests of the central government in their activities.