The Institution of Allegiance in the Russian State

The article outlines the main stages of the origin and formation of allegiance as a legal institution in the Russian Empire. Despite the fact that the policy of the Moscow state strongly supported and encouraged the voluntary entry of various peoples into the Russian Empire, the most intensive development of the institution of allegiance took place during the years of Peter›s reforms. Tsar Peter I, assisting «foreigners» in entering Russian citizenship, acted not only from noble motives. His interests were closely connected with the desire to benefit the Fatherland. Outstanding talents, skills, knowledge and skills of a foreigner served as a prerequisite for joining the Russian allegiance (citizenship). In the 18th century, during Peter I rule, the number of foreigners arriving in Russia increased dramatically. This had a beneficial effect on the formation of allegiance as a legal institution. The relevance of the chosen topic can be explained by the fact that at present the concept of «allegiance” has lost its patriotic meaning. Often in the modern world, the acceptance of allegiance of a particular state is exclusively formal. However, do not forget that the subject is distinguished from a foreigner not only by the amount of rights and duties that belong to him. The political and legal relationship of a subject with the state is filled with moral content. Love and respect for the Homeland, the desire to benefit it, to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the Fatherland, to take care of preserving the state unity and territorial integrity of the country come first. The analysis of the historically established order of entry into citizenship by taking the oath to the sovereign allows us to trace the transition of this legal institution from private to state. The article reflects the basic principles of citizenship that developed in the 17th–18th centuries in Russia. The issues of allegiance and citizenship for Russia have been of key importance for many centuries, and they have retained their novelty and relevance to this day.

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