N.K. Mikhailovski and the Democratic Movement in Russia in the second half of the XIX сentury: Political Doctrine and Activity (to the 175th Anniversary of Birthday)

The article analyzes the socio-political concept and social activities of Nikolay Konstantinovich Mikhaylovsky, the theorist of reformist populism, editor of the magazine "Otechestvennye Zapiski" and "Russian wealth", sociologist and literary critic. The authors on the basis of the sociological heritage and legal journalism proves, that Mikhailovsky is the national leader of the democratic intelligentsia, such as his reformist populism was ideologically close to the liberal conception of the rule of man and the values of the political freedoms. The article shows that the struggle for political freedom and a constitution was a priority for Mikhailovsky, while the socialist aspects of his doctrine recede into the background. On the basis of unknown archival materials (Foundation of E. P. Letkova-Sultanova) authors prove a significant role of Mikhailovsky in the formation of the ideology of the party "Narodnaya Volya". The convergence of the populist thinker with a liberal opposition movement manifested in the fact of his cooperation with the party of the "People's rights" and participation in actions to protect freedom of expression at the beginning of the 1900-ies.