Abstract:
The evolution of Russian political institution from Kievan Rus to the early 18th century can be divided into three periods, that is, “polis monarchy” in Kievan Rus, “hierarchical monarchy” in Moscow Rus and “absolute monarchy” in Petersburg Rus. “Despotic monarch” in Russia was a lasting historical phenomenon, which had its characteristic road of development different either from “dictatorial monarchy” in the East or from “absolute monarchy” in the West. The despotic monarchy in Russia resulted from a combination of three elements, namely, the tradition of the Golden Horde, heritage from Byzantium and the geographic environment of Northwest Rus. Since Ivan III who claimed to be a “despotic monarch”, despotic monarchy went through the development of a hierarchical monarchy and became established in the reign of Peter I. However, either “hierarchical monarchy” or “absolute monarchy” in Russia was similar the counterpart in West only in form but not in essence.
