Veche Democracy in the Old Russian States as a Historical Basis for Modern Russian Democracy
This article discusses such a historical phenomenon as veche democracy. The authours analyse the influence of this institution on today’s state institutions and their activities. Many scientists are still actively discussing the role and scope of authority of this body and considering the relationship between such a level of authority and the authority of other authorities. This article also addresses the issue related to the role of veche assembly in the formation of the foundations of democracy, the political culture of the population, as well as laying the foundations of local self-government. The authors review the opinions of historians and analyse the internal organization and forms of functioning of the veche and the reasons for the cessation of its activity. Within the scope of the article, the authors give a comparative assessment of modern institutions of direct democracy and the institutions of direct democracy in Old Russia-veche.