LEGAL BASIS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES AT THE CITY AND VILLAGE LEVEL IN GALICIA (1772-1867)

Abstract

Introduction. This article analyzes the features of local self-government organization at the city and village levels in Galicia within the Austrian Monarchy (1772–1867).

Summary of the main results of the study. It is noted that the majority of the Ukrainian population in Galicia was concentrated in villages. For instance, in the Carpathian region, the rural population accounted for 82 % of the total population. At the beginning of the 19th century, the socio-economic life in Galician villages was characterized by the development of corvée agriculture, the growth of landlessness, and the stratification of the peasantry. The administrative-territorial division in Galicia was distinguished by the fact that the Austrian government did not create a lower tier of the state apparatus and transferred political power in rural areas to the landlords (dominions), thereby strengthening the feudal order. It is argued that significant changes in the organization of local self-government in Galicia within the Austrian Monarchy occurred after the revolution of 1848, which had a significant impact on the awakening of national consciousness among Ukrainians and the development of ideas of local self-government in Western Ukrainian lands. This was also facilitated by Austrian legislation, enacted under the influence of revolutionary ideas. In particular, the law of March 17, 1849, proclaimed the idea: «A free community is the foundation of a free state». A new stage in the development of local self-government was marked by the Austrian law on communities in Galicia (1866), which defined that a community consists of every city, town, and village that has its own local government. The representative body of rural and urban communities in Galicia was the communal council, which «consists of elected members and members who belong to it without election (so-called virilists)». The communal council met as necessary, but not less than once every three months. The right to convene it belonged to the head of the community or his deputy. The head was also required to convene the council if requested by 2/3 of the council members, the eldership, or the district council. He was also obliged to inform the council members about the next meeting. The council was considered competent to make decisions if more than half of the council members were present at the meeting.

Conclusion. Thus, the organization of local self-government at the city and village levels in Galicia within the Austrian Monarchy (1772–1867) demonstrates the influence of European traditions on the Western Ukrainian lands. The expansion of the rights of territorial communities in Galician villages was particularly positive, contributing to the development of Ukrainian society. Ukrainians developed democratic traditions of local self-government and always strived for orderly social relations and independent local governance.