Chronicle of the History of the Cabinet of Ministers under Different «Compositions» (1731–1741)

The article analyzes the problem of the composition of the Cabinet of Ministers from an insufficiently studied perspective of the subjective influence of members on the development of the highest state body. In the course of the study, the author undertakes an analytical experiment on the formation of a cumulative chronicle of the history of the Cabinet and its periodization according to the criterion of changing ministerial «compositions». The purpose of this experiment is to search for signs of non-obvious relationships between personal changes in the «presence» and the processes of transformation of the structural and functional appearance of the institution of higher authority. As a result of the study, it turned out that among the factors evolution of the Cabinet, from the point of view of the personal component, both elements of statics (a stable core of the composition that ensured continuity) and dynamics (the sporadic inclusion of new persons, when elements of novelty penetrated in forms of functioning of the institution, thanks to or against their will). On the basis of the presented factual overview of the history of the Cabinet, the researcher makes a conclusion about the stage at which the most numerous decrees related to the competence of this body were issued, as well as to determine the path for introducing new methods and forms of its activity. At the same time, the research carried out made it possible to pose the scientific problem more clearly, and the findings obtained in work raise new questions that can become starting points for further investigation of the topic.

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