THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PEASANT REFORM OF 1861

The article analyzes the contribution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Empire to the development of the concept of peasant reform in 1861, as part of the problem of its state-legal status and role in the mechanism of public power. The article presents the results of a study of the reform potential of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which manifested itself in the process of developing the concept of peasant reform, and the evolution of the views of its leaders on the principles and mechanism of peasant liberation. Based on the results of the study, a conclusion was formulated on the assessment of the role and place of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the mechanism of public power during the "Great Reforms" of the second half of the 19th century. as a subject of state-legal construction.