Beche - VECHE (English spelling) вече/veche Russian

The Slavic and ancient Slavic assemblies were especially famous in Russia. Its origins are thought to date back to clan-based society, but in Russia it developed most in the 11th and 12th centuries in cities, especially in large cities such as Novgorod and Kiev. The topics discussed were the summoning and expulsion of princes, the election and replacement of mayors, bishops, and chieftains, decisions on war and peace, the conclusion of treaties with other regions, the granting of land and privileges, and the adoption of various codes. Judicial and administrative issues were not included in the topics discussed by the ordinary assembly. There was only a rough procedure for deliberation, and at least in the early days, no votes were taken, and decisions were made by the loudest voices of the participants shouting for and against. The assembly was a good expression of "urban democracy" in medieval Russia, but in reality it was often used by the feudal class as a means of restricting public power. After the 14th century, the assembly gradually lost its meaning as the power of the princes strengthened.

[Takeo Kuryuzawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代・中世スラブの民会。とくにロシアのそれが名高い。その起源は氏族制社会にさかのぼると考えられるが、ロシアの場合もっとも発展したのは11～12世紀の都市、とくにノブゴロドやキエフなどの大都市においてである。審議事項は、公の招聘(しょうへい)と追放、市長・主教・千人長などの選出と更迭、戦争と講和の決定、他の地方との条約締結、土地や特権の付与、諸法典の採択などであった。裁判・行政問題は普通民会の審議事項には入らなかった。審議方法は大ざっぱな手順があったのみで、少なくとも初期には表決は行われず、参加者の賛否の叫び声の大きさによって決定が下されたと考えられている。民会は、中世ロシアにおける「都市民主制」のよき表現であったといえるが、現実には封建階級が公権力を制限する手段として利用することが多かった。民会は14世紀以降、諸公権力の強化とともにしだいに意味を失っていった。

［栗生沢猛夫］

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