Labour and performance of the "second serfdom" in Russia

Allesandro Stanziani, Labour and performance of the "second serfdom" in Russia This paper focuses on the institutional definition and practises of serfdom in Russia between the 17th and the 19th century. It shows that peasants' bondage to the land was never fully officialized in Russia; several forms of personal dependance and bondage were at hand. From this standpoint the author put into evidence the overall perfomances of Russian agriculture and economy. The notions of Russia as a feudal system or quasi-peripherie of Europe are put under attack.