The reviewed book examines the main types of political parties in Russia at the beginning of the XXth century. The author proceeds from his definition of the concept of «party» and demonstrates his own approach to the historiography of the problem. Formation and activities of parties are analyzed, as well as the party concepts of the transformation of Russia, the relations of parties with government representatives and mass movements. The article examines the statutory principles of parties, the dynamics of their number and social composition, party geography, Duma party fractions and many other issues. Shelokhaev demonstrates a thorough approach to the study of party models of the reconstruction of Russia. He concludes that mainly socialist parties were capable of internal transformation due to the rapid changes in the political situation in the country. Another important conclusion of the author boils down to the great role of subjective factors in the fact that the masses negatively perceived the processes of post-reform development of the Russian Empire.
political party; multiparty system; Russia at the beginning of the XXth century; models of the reconstruction of Russia.