Biography. Reform activities N

Publicist and statesman; comes from nobles of the evangelical confession, born. November 11, 1823 in Kyiv, where his father served as a doctor and was considered an experienced physician, mainly in childhood diseases; He received his education at the 1st Kyiv gymnasium and at the University of St. Vladimir, where he completed the course in 1845 with a candidate's degree in jurisprudence. On October 31 of the same year, B. was appointed teacher of the laws of government administration at the Lyceum of Prince Bezborodko, and after defending his master’s thesis in 1847: “A study of the principles of trade legislation of Peter the Great” (“Domestic Notes”, 1850, vol. LXVIII, no. 1) was approved on December 19, 1847 as a professor at the Lyceum, in which position he remained until October 31, 1850. In Nizhyn, Bunge joined a small circle of progressive people who had a beneficial influence not only on students, but also on the environment, pedagogical and social.

In the dark outback of the district he appeared as an ardent missionary of European science and citizenship; as a professor, he was actively concerned about raising the level of development of his students: in order to make the treasures of European science accessible to his chosen students, B. gave lessons in foreign languages ​​in his apartment.

B. retained this rare and attractive trait - to love everything young and sense everything gifted in the young, when (in 1850) he became a professor at the University of St. Vladimir, and this is also the key to the extraordinary success of his university lectures. On June 16, 1852, B. was awarded the degree of Doctor of Political Science by Kiev University for his dissertation: “The Theory of Credit” (Kiev, 1852) and in the same 1852 he was approved as an extraordinary professor, and in 1854 - as an ordinary professor in the department of political economy and statistics.

In 1865, when the professor of police law N.D. Ivanishev stopped his lectures, the teaching of this subject was temporarily entrusted to B., who in 1869 finally changed the former department of political economy and statistics to the department of police law. Police law does not seem to B. to be an integral science; in the doctrine of security (laws of deanery) he sees a part of state law, and in the doctrine of welfare (laws of improvement) - an applied part of political economy.

In accordance with this, in his course “Police Law” (5th issue, Kyiv, 1873-77), which remained unfinished and in which he managed to present only some departments of improvement, the economic point of view prevails.

But when presenting the theory of economic issues, the author does not limit himself to general principles alone, since, in his opinion, the study of general laws alone, without connection with the facts in which these laws are found, easily degenerates into dry and abstract scholasticism, which may be of interest to specialists, but powerless to resolve life's issues.

In addition to the initiated course on police law, B. also published for his students “A Course in Statistics” (Kyiv, 1865; 2nd ed., 1876) and “Fundamentals of Political Economy” (Kyiv, 1870). B.'s university activities were not limited to teaching.

In the difficult days of university life, when universities were deprived of self-government, B., in the position of rector by appointment (from 1859-1862), stood with dignity at the head of Kyiv University.

But even after the return of voting rights to universities, B. was twice elected rector of the same Kyiv University and held this position from 1871-1875 and from 1878-1880. In 1876, B. was confirmed with the rank of Honored Professor: in 1880 .he left the University.

B. was one of those learned professors who do not confine themselves to the blank walls of their office.

Possessing a bright and broad mind, he could not help but respond to the social issues that life brought to the fore.

The result of his responsiveness was a whole series of more or less thorough articles that he published in various periodicals, starting in 1852. These were articles related to the then expected peasant reform (in "Otech. Zapiski", 1858, No. 8 and in " Russian Bulletin of 1859, No. 2 and 8), to the spreading new type of industrial enterprises in the form of joint stock companies (in the "Magazine for Shareholders", 1855 and 1858) and many others, among which one cannot fail to note his comments on the structure educational part at universities (in "Russian Bulletin", 1858, vol. XVII) and on banking policy (in "Collection of State Knowledge", vol. I, 1874). His study was also of important practical importance: "Commodity warehouses and warrants" (Kiev, 1871); but special attention was paid to his research on ways to restore our correct monetary circulation, shocked, among other things, by the excessive issue of paper money. These include the following works: "On the restoration of metal circulation in Russia" ( Kyiv, 1877); “On the restoration of a constant monetary unit in Russia” (Kyiv, 1878) and articles in the “Collection of State Knowledge”, vol. VI, 1878 and vol. VIII, 1880. In addition, B. translated and supplemented the work. A. Wagner: “Russian paper money” (Kyiv, 1871). The scientific and literary activities of the gifted financier early attracted the attention of the government.

Back in 1859, when the peasant reform was maturing, B., together with our most experienced financiers, was invited by the Highest Name to participate in the financial commission, which had its duty to find the grounds and methods for the final resolution of the peasant issue through the redemption of plots with the assistance of the government.

Then, again called to St. Petersburg to participate in the discussion of the new university charter (1863), Bunge received an assignment to teach the science of finance and political economy to the late heir Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich.

The basis of the lectures that he gave to his royal student from September 3, 1863 to June 11, 1864, B. based the book by Karl von Gock, translated into Russian: “Taxes and State Debts” (Kiev, 1865), about which one of the biographers B. said that “a country whose ruler would have adopted Gok’s views on taxes and state management could be happy.” Upon his return to Kyiv, B., without leaving university studies, accepted the position offered to him as manager of the Kiev office of the state bank. Standing thus at the very source of credit. operations, B. got the opportunity to test the instructions of the theory of finance in practice.

B.'s accession in 1880 to the post of Comrade Minister of Finance, and soon after that, in 1881, Minister of Finance, was met with complete sympathy and great hopes.

His six-year administration of the Ministry of Finance (1881-86) coincided with a very difficult financial period.

Some revival in industrial life and in the receipt of state revenues, which was noticeable after the war, subsided already in 1880, and then a reaction came.

In addition, two years in a row - 1884 and especially 1885 - were marked by an almost universal crop failure of grain and herbs in the empire, which in turn caused adverse consequences for industry and trade, the closure of many factories and plants in the industrial region, trade bankruptcies and reduction of foreign holidays.

Already his first state commission (1881), the new Minister of Finance brought a deficit of 50 million rubles, and since then the deficits have not stopped throughout the administration of his ministry - a phenomenon almost unknown to the previous decade (1871-1880), when only The painting in 1878 was completed with a deficit of 21 million rubles, although even then, when paintings were executed, instead of the expected excess of income over expenses, there was sometimes a shortage.

But based on this or that information from the list, one cannot yet judge the activities of the Ministry of Finance.

The touchstone for this activity can be measures to find ways to achieve uniform and fair taxation of taxpayers, as well as care for the productive forces of the people, this main source of state power and wealth.

In both respects, the management of N. X. Bunge was marked by events of paramount importance.

Already at the beginning of the last reign, the question was raised about the need to abolish the ancient distinction between tax-paying and non-tax-paying classes; but only N. X. Bunge finally moved from projects and assumptions to actual implementation and carried out the abolition of the poll tax and the conversion of the quitrent tax into redemption payments.

But the main merit of N. H. Bunge, as Minister of Finance, is to indicate the path that our financial legislation should follow in its further development.

This path is the establishment of an income tax, which is currently recognized as the most fair and expedient method of taxation, and which was first officially indicated in our country in the most comprehensive report attached to the list for 1884. But N. X. Bunge, fearing a shock to the existing economic relations, did not dare to immediately draft a general income tax, but for the first time was content with establishing a number of private taxes that had the significance of transitional measures preparing the introduction of a general income tax.

This includes: a tax on income from interest-bearing securities, interest and distribution fees from industrial enterprises, and partly a tax on property transferred free of charge.

The establishment of the tax inspectorate also had the significance of a preparatory measure for the introduction of a general income tax, which, in addition to this significance in the future, justified its existence, since in the first year of its establishment it more than doubled the costs of its maintenance simply by the more correct receipt of trade taxes .

Already these first steps to attract sufficient classes to participate in the tax burden, in connection with the abolition of the poll tax and the reduction of redemption payments, should have had a beneficial effect on the productive forces of the people; but N. X. Bunge also took direct measures for the economic success of the country.

These include the establishment of the Peasant Land Bank, the law of June 1, 1882, which took the first and successful step towards the regulation of factory labor in the interests of workers, and the rules of April 26. 1883, which marked the beginning of a more regular structure of city and private banks.

Less favorable results were produced by his customs policy, which made so many concessions to protectionism, his drinking reform of 1885, the establishment of the Noble Land Bank and some other private measures. Few ministers have had to endure so many attacks from the press (especially from the Moskovskiye Vedomosti), and few have dealt with them so calmly, without resorting to the protection of punitive administrative power and limiting themselves to official denials of a strictly factual nature.

In January 1887, N. X. Bunge left the post of Minister of Finance and was appointed chairman of the Committee of Ministers.

N. X. Bunge was elected as an honorary member of various societies and universities: St. Petersburg, Novorossiysk, St. Vladimir and the Academy of Sciences; in 1890 he accepted the title of ordinary academician in political economy and published the book: “Public Accounting and Financial Reporting in England” (St. Petersburg, 1890), in the compilation of which the author, along with the literature of the subject, used a number of practical information delivered to him by agents of our ministries in Paris and London. (Brockhaus) Bunge, Nikolai Khristianovich (addition to the article) - economist and statesman; died in 1895 (Brockhaus) Bunge, Nikolai Khristianovich - Russian statesman (since 1887 chairman of the Committee of Ministers) and economist; genus. in 1823, d. in 1895. As Minister of Finance, B. spoke out in 1882 with sharp and justified criticism of the work developed by the gr. Ignatiev’s bill aimed at limiting Jews in some very important rights, and it was thanks to Bunge that the “Temporary Rules” of 1882 carried out only part of the repressive measures proposed by Count. Ignatiev. - Wed. Hesse, "Gr. Ignatiev and "Temporary Rules", "Pravo", 1908 No. 31. (European enc.) Bunge, Nikolai Christianovich (1823-1895) - economist, Minister of Finance of Tsarist Russia.

In 1850 he began lecturing at Kiev University, and in 1852 he took the department of political economy and statistics.

From 1869 he taught mainly a course on police law; from 1890 - academician.

During the period from 1859 to 1880, he repeatedly held the position of rector at Kiev University. In 1863 he took part in the development of the university charter.

He was the manager of the Kyiv branch of the State Bank. He became known in court circles from his studies in finance and political economy with the eldest son of Alexander II; subsequently (1886-89) he lectured to Nicholas II, when he was his heir.

In 1880 he was appointed deputy minister of finance under minister Abaza (see). After the assassination of Alexander II and the decisive turn of the autocracy towards extreme reaction, instead of the resigned Abaza, B. was appointed Minister of Finance in May 1881, as a learned and apolitical person; B. held the position of minister until 1886. In 1887-1895 he was chairman of the committee of ministers.

As a minister, B. pursued a moderate bourgeois policy, maneuvering between the more advanced St. Petersburg-Polish metallurgical and iron-making industries, the backward textile industry of the Moscow-Vladimir region and trading capital.

As Minister of Finance, B. considered his main task to be the ordering of the completely disordered - especially after the Russian-Turkish War (1877-78) - monetary system, which, however, did not give any serious results.

B. did a lot of preparatory work for the introduction of metallic monetary circulation in Russia.

Under him, an attempt was clearly made to bring the budget of tsarist Russia closer to the budget of bourgeois states.

He tries to abolish a number of serfdom and semi-serfdom taxes and introduces a number of direct taxes; under him, redemption payments were reduced (by 12 million rubles), the capitation tax was abolished, and the quitrent tax was transformed.

Removal of some duties from peasants during the agrarian crisis of the 80s. meant the elimination of virtually impossible taxes, and on the other hand, it emancipated the financial elite of the village from the community, from mutual responsibility, etc. Nevertheless, these attempts by B. met with strong opposition, mainly from Pobedonostsev.

In the interests of the industrial bourgeoisie, Belgium pursues a protectionist customs policy.

In connection with the developing labor movement, B. carried out a number of activities in the field of labor legislation, since this did not run counter to the interests of the advanced industrial bourgeoisie. On June 1, 1882, a law was passed regulating the exploitation of child labor. The crisis that gripped the industry since the early 80s raised the question of reducing production; Therefore, B., as a result of the petition of St. Petersburg manufacturers, carried out the abolition of the night work of teenagers and women in textile production (law of June 3, 1885). Under B., the Institute of Factory Inspection was created.

The strike movement of the mid-80s, especially the Morozov strike of 1885, frightened the autocracy, which, in the person of the Minister of Internal Affairs, or rather the police department led by Plehve (see), seeks to take the matter of regulating relations between workers and entrepreneurs into their own hands, and Indeed, very soon B. was forced, under pressure from the right, to cede the initiative in the field of labor legislation to the Ministry of the Interior (law of June 3, 1886). These first attempts at labor legislation, for all their wretchedness, however, restored the factory owners of the Moscow and Vladimir regions against B..

With the strengthening of the “national” policy of Pobedonostsev and Tolstoy, who relied on a bloc of landowners with the bourgeoisie of the central provinces, B. was forced to resign from his post, giving way to I. A. Vyshnegradsky.

As a theorist-economist, B. did not represent anything outstanding, adhering in his theoretical views to the so-called “historical” school. The main scientific works of V.: Course of Statistics, Kyiv, 1865; Foundations of political economy;

Theory of Credit, Kyiv, 1852; Historical outline of economic doctrines and review of various branches of economic activity (several publications).

Commodity warehouses and warrants, Kyiv, 1871; Banking laws and banking policy (Collection of state knowledge, vol. I, St. Petersburg, 1874); On the restoration of metal circulation in Russia, Kyiv, 1877; On the restoration of a constant monetary unit in Russia, Kyiv, 1878; State accounting and financial reporting in England, St. Petersburg, 1890; Essays on political and economic literature, St. Petersburg, 1805. In addition, B. translated and annotated the book by Al. Wagner, Russian paper money, Kyiv, 1871. Lit.: "A remarkable era in the history of Russian finance", St. Petersburg, 1895; Kovanko P., The main reforms carried out by Bunge in the financial system of Russia, Kyiv, 1901. I. Tatarov.

Nikolai Bunge was Minister of Finance from 1881 to 1886. He received this position after Alexander III inherited the throne. Bunge carried out many unpopular reforms, which is why the conservative opposition achieved his resignation. Time has shown that the course chosen by this Minister of Finance was correct.

Minister's identity

The future Minister of Finance Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge was born on November 23, 1823 in the family of a doctor. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kiev University and after that began his teaching career. In his views, Bunge was a Western liberal and a classic “statist.”

His beliefs were distinguished by moderation, which came in very handy in the era of Alexander II. The lawyer believed that the Russian state was not yet ready to adopt a constitution. Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge saw the task of his generation in gradual step-by-step reforms, the results of which should be felt many years later.

Moving to the capital

The professor taught at Kiev University for about thirty years. He became rector three times, at the same time heading a branch of the State Bank. In 1880, Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge left Kyiv forever and moved to St. Petersburg. He ended up in the capital at the request of the government. The authorities urgently needed new ideas to reform the state and alleviate social tensions. At this time, the terror of the Narodnaya Volya and other radicals reached its peak.

What could Nikolai Khristianovich offer the state of Bunge? Over the course of several decades, he prepared his own program of economic transformation. It was based on a rich theoretical foundation drawn from the experience of Western countries.

Bunge's ideas

Bunge's program appeared during the era of the Great Reforms, but by the beginning of the reign of Alexander III it had gone through several editions. After the natural defeat of Russia, the financier, like other liberals, pinned his hopes on the development of private initiative, which was supposed to make the greatest contribution to the economic development of the country. These aspirations were largely forced. The state, which spent huge sums on the war, simply did not have the funds to modernize Russia.

The ensuing reforms of Alexander II showed where Bunge Nikolai Khristianovich was wrong. The short biography of the future minister is similar to the biographies of many of his moderate liberal comrades. Economic growth in the 60s. would not have happened without large government subsidies. There was a shortage of entrepreneurs in the country. Already in the 70s. the reaction began. The state again began to completely regulate the economy. The issuance of railway concessions was stopped, the establishment of joint stock companies was restrained, and high customs barriers were established. Taking into account all these features, Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge rewrote his program. The brief biography of this man and the evolution of his views are typical of that era.

Appointment as Minister

On March 1, 1881, terrorists killed Alexander II, after which his son came to power. The new sovereign began personnel rotation in the government. It was then, in 1881, that Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge was appointed to the post of Minister of Finance of the Russian Empire. The economist's photo appeared in all the capital's newspapers. The public expected him to act.

During his five years as head of the financial department, Nikolai Bunge carried out several major reforms. The state lowered the tax rate for peasants, restructured the tax system, transferring it to a new income basis, and abolished the Peasant Bank in 1882. Over the course of several years, the first acts of labor legislation were adopted.

Economic transformation

Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge, whose activities were often criticized, initiated reforms that did not immediately bring positive changes to the Russian economy. Under this minister, the budget remained deficit, the Treasury could not get rid of debts, etc. And, nevertheless, the statesman Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge did a lot of useful things for his country. Thanks to his program, the Russian customs service was able to protect domestic producers from foreign competition, which led to a gradual increase in domestic entrepreneurship. Changes in taxation allowed the treasury to accumulate a significant financial base. Later it went to stimulate industrial growth.

Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge was born in the era of a strong ruble, when the national currency was not as connected with the foreign market as at the end of the 19th century. During the economist's tenure as minister, the situation was radically different from those previous orders. The government has done a lot to stabilize the ruble exchange rate and move to the gold currency standard. This reform was completed by Bunge's successor Sergei Witte.

Agrarian policy

What did Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge do for the Russian peasantry? The Minister of Finance sought to develop a market economy in the countryside, which required private peasant land ownership. Bunge believed that state intervention should be minimal and reduced to protecting the interests of the lower classes, who in many ways continued to live in a powerless position in relation to large and wealthy owners. An economist would be a “lover of the people” not only because of his liberal views, but also because of his essential pragmatism. The minister's program was simple - to help the peasantry so that, having become stronger, it would help the country rise.

What exactly were the measures that Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge took on the agrarian issue? Photos of villages without modern equipment and infrastructure forced the minister to undertake serious reforms. He saved the rural population from unnecessary taxes, including the salt tax. The peasantry suffered from land shortages and overpopulation in the central provinces. To solve this problem, a program was proposed to resettle villagers to the empty outskirts of the country, the natural conditions of which were perfect for cultivating the land and growing crops.

Labor legislation

The state's relations were difficult not only with peasants, but also with workers. After the abolition of serfdom, a powerful stream of proletarians poured into the cities, looking for a better life in factories and other enterprises. Contrary to this, Russia still did not have systematized factory legislation.

In 1884, on the initiative of Bunge, the labor of minors in large enterprises was prohibited. The state has set a lower threshold of 12 years. Teenagers under 15 years old could work no more than 8 hours a day. In 1885, women's night work was banned. The authorities adopted general rules regulating relations between the employer and the proletarians. These norms made it possible to significantly limit the arbitrariness and arbitrariness of factory owners. At the same time, repression against workers who participated in strikes and walkouts intensified. Compliance with the rules was checked by a special state inspection.

Nationalization of the railways

Minister of Finance Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge, whose date of birth coincided with the period of the emergence of railways in Russia, was well aware of their importance in the life of the country. During the years of his leadership of the economy of the empire, the full nationalization of this economy began. At the end of the 19th century, railways were also “nationalized” in Belgium, Austria-Hungary, France, Holland, etc. In carrying out this reform, Bunge could be guided by similar Western experience.

Fighting monopolies

Nationalization was necessary to combat monopolists who predatorily used this means of communication. Society unanimously demanded that the authorities put an end to the disorganization of the railways. For this purpose, an interdepartmental commission was created. Officials from the Ministry of Finance played an important role in it. Bunge himself opposed the too hasty transfer of the railways to the state. The minister regularly wrote in which he explained his view of the problem. These projects were sent to the very top and reviewed by the autocrat.

After the collapse of the concession system, the state returned to the practice of building railways exclusively at public expense. Regarding the tracks already put into operation, Bunge spoke publicly several times in approximately the same tone. He repeated his arguments shortly before his resignation. The minister believed that Russia could not take away the railways at an accelerated pace, as was done, for example, in Germany, due to the fact that there were not enough certified specialists in the civil service.

Results of activities

When assessing the results of the work of the Minister of Finance, it is important to understand that the Russian statesman Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge faced numerous obstacles on his path. He inherited a difficult legacy from the war with the Ottoman Empire, an industrial crisis, crop failures, stagnation in agriculture, and increased spending on the navy and army.

The conservative opposition has always treated with hostility a minister who wanted to compromise with the liberal part of society. The confrontation continued throughout Bunge's tenure as head of the financial department.

Retirement and further career

The minister's opponents achieved his resignation in 1886. But the emperor understood who Nikolai Christianovich Bunge was and appreciated his qualities. Therefore, the economist not only did not fall into disgrace, but also remained in the State Council. Having become the head of the Committee of Ministers, he continued to influence the political course of the authorities, albeit in a different capacity.

What did Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge achieve? Facts from the life of the official indicate that he sought to stop the artificial support of the rural community, which was causing damage to individual peasant farms. The economist was a supporter of the resettlement of villagers to the east. A new wave of mass peasant colonization of Siberia occurred after Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge died. The biographical sketch of this man is the history of the career of Stolypin’s predecessor, who began implementing agrarian reform. Nikolai Bunge died on June 15, 1895 in Tsarskoe Selo.

Economic views of N.Kh. Bunge. Nikolai Christianovich Bunge (1823-95)

Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge is a famous economist and statesman. In the early 1880s, Bunge was called to public service, where he served first as Associate Minister of Finance (1880-1881), then Minister of Finance (1881-1886) and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers (1887-95). As finance minister, Bunge carried out many reforms aimed at modernizing the Russian economy, including strengthening the monetary system.

N.H. Bunge left a huge number of published works, including on the issue of money, banks and credit. In his doctoral dissertation “The Theory of Credit” (1852), he wrote about the importance of credit for the consolidation and rational use of capital, to stimulate the development of productive forces and resolve social contradictions. At the same time, he considered the mobilization of “idle capital” in banks and directing them to “where they will deliver the greatest economic benefits” as “the multiplication of capital.” Bunge, 1852, p. 141-144

Bunge noted the important role of credit in the creation of new means of payment, which not only reduce circulation costs, but also create a completely new base for it. Bunge, 1852, p. 156 He wrote that credit means of circulation, such as “bank deposit notes, bonds, shares, especially bills of exchange and bank notes replacing bills of exchange” differ from other instruments of exchange (intermediaries) in that “they are created by the circulation of the values ​​themselves, and not by production, that their value is purely representative." Bunge, 1852, p. 157 These features of “credit negotiable notes” give them important advantages over money.

Bunge expressed confidence that credit would develop and that in the future exchanges would increasingly take place on the basis of credit. He formulated three types of exchange depending on the stage of its development:

1) natural exchange,

2) monetary exchange, and 3) exchange mediated by credit. Bunge, 1852, p. 11 These statements by Bunge are consistent with those later expressed by the German economist Bruno Hildebrand in his work “Natural Economics, Monetary Economics and Credit Economics” (1864).

In various articles published in the late 1850s, Bunge called for the abandonment of the state banking system and the state monopoly in the credit sector. He considered government banks to be bureaucratic institutions that were unable to compete with the energy and competence of private interests. In his work “The Significance of Industrial Partnerships and the Conditions for Their Distribution,” he argued that shares “create the most developed form of private property,” and joint-stock companies are “a happy combination of personal activities with public activities.” Bunge. 1857, p. 16-17

The task of creating a banking system designed to stimulate economic development was clearly formulated during the period of credit reform of 1859-1860, but it was solved only in the 1860-1870s, when the Ministry of Finance was headed by Mikhail Reitern (from 1862 to 1878). ). Reitern actively promoted the development of private credit institutions, and, thanks to his support, a whole system of private commercial banks was formed in Russia in a short time.

Author of many scientific works, expert of the Editorial Commissions on the preparation of the reform of 1861 and the resolution of the peasant question. Bunge gained experience in financial activities and a reputation as a talented administrator in the 60s, successfully managing, as already mentioned, the Kyiv office of the State Bank.

Nikolai Bunge's program was distinguished by its social orientation, for he saw a deep connection between improving the financial situation of the country and increasing the well-being of the people, and included the development of factory legislation, the creation of workers' associations, and attracting workers to participate in the profits of enterprises. His political ideal was an autocratic monarchy based on the rule of law, transparency and the development of local public initiative.

Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge (German) Nikolai Karl Paul von Bunge; November 11 (November 23, new style) 1823, Kyiv - June 3 (June 15, new style) 1895, Tsarskoe Selo) - Russian statesman of the 19th century, economist, academician, Minister of Finance of the Russian Empire (May 6, 1881 - 31 December 1886).
He graduated from the First Kyiv Gymnasium and the Law Faculty of Kyiv University (1845). Master of Public Law (1847, dissertation topic: “A Study of the Beginnings of Peter the Great’s Trade Legislation”). Doctor of Political Science (1850, dissertation topic: “The Theory of Credit”).

Scientific views and political achievements

He was a supporter of moderate liberalism, private property and freedom of enterprise (while recognizing the need for limited government intervention in the economy), and a critic of socialist and communist teachings. An excellent expert in Western economic concepts.
He considered socialism “an evil from which morality, duty, freedom, and personality perish.” He saw the reason for the popularity of socialist ideas in the fact that their author “appeals to the predatory instincts of dispossessed humanity.”
In economic views he was a supporter of Adam Smith, then became interested in the German economic school. In politics he held views similar to those of John Stuart Mill.

One of his first measures as Minister of Finance was to reduce redemption payments, which he considered necessary to improve the well-being of the peasants - especially since they were charged more than was paid under the obligations of the redemption operation. The total amount of the reduction was up to 12 million rubles per year.
In addition, the poll tax and salt excise tax were abolished under him. To compensate for the shortfall in income, taxes were increased - on alcohol, sugar, tobacco, as well as stamp duty and a number of others; Customs duties on imported goods have been increased. He tried to reduce expenses, but he failed to balance the budget. He was a supporter of introducing an income tax.
Established the Institute of Tax Inspectors. Being in theory an adherent of economic liberalism, he was forced in practice to pursue a protectionist policy in conditions of a crisis caused by the consequences of a sharp increase in military spending during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878.
Under Bung, preparations for monetary reform began in Russia: in the fall of 1884, the State Bank began accumulating gold from revenues from customs duties and through external loans.

He believed that many of the problems of the Russian peasantry are related to the insufficient size of their land plots and the inability to obtain long-term credit to purchase new lands. To resolve this issue, the Peasant Land Bank was created under him. He was an opponent of the artificial conservation of the rural community and proposed to abolish mutual responsibility in the village (the State Council did not agree with this initiative). Also, during his time as Minister of Finance, the Noble Land Bank was opened, and Bunge believed that he should have issued loans only to those noble landowners who themselves farmed on their land (however, the State Council lifted this restriction).

Under him, work was carried out on the publication of factory (labor) legislation. In 1884, a law came into force prohibiting child labor in factories and regulating the working hours of children and adolescents from 12 to 15 years old, which was limited to eight hours (this led to a significant reduction in the number of child workers). In 1885, night work was prohibited for teenagers under the age of 17 and women in textile factories. In 1886, “Rules on the supervision of factory industry establishments” were published, which limited the arbitrariness of employers in relation to workers (it was forbidden to pay with work coupons or in kind, make deductions for debts, regulated fines, etc.), and also intensified repressive measures for participation in strikes and incitement to them, threats against the administration and refusal to work. The implementation of labor legislation was monitored by a factory inspectorate specially established in 1882.

Bunge's activities were sharply criticized by right-wing forces (their mouthpiece was the newspaper Moskovskie Vedomosti). He was accused of “a lack of understanding of the conditions of Russian life, doctrinaireism, and a passion for pernicious Western European theories.” These accusations contributed to his resignation from the post of Minister of Finance and his appointment to the honorary, but devoid of real influence, post of Chairman of the Committee of Ministers.

Shortly before his death, he wrote a political will, addressing it to the emperor (it was called “Afterlife Notes”). This document, prepared from a moderate reformist position, spoke about the prospects for economic transformations in the country, public administration, public education, taxation, peasant and labor legislation, and the national question. He was an opponent of the extremes of the great power policy of the Russian monarchy. He rejected the arguments of supporters of the community who claim that it saves the peasantry from landlessness and kulak exploitation. " Although it should be clear to every thinking person, he wrote, that even with communal ownership, kulaks are also possible, soldering the world, fleecing the poor from the rich and, vice versa, the devastation of a sufficient population by world-eaters and the oppression of the world; although landlessness is not a consequence of private property, A, as everyone admits, - population growth" He criticized the government for lack of attention to the resettlement issue. Later, some of Bunge's ideas were implemented during the reforms of P. A. Stolypin.

Scientific works