D.I. Mendeleyev's contribution to customs affairs

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D.I. Mendeleyev's contribution to customs affairs

Questions of customs policy were in the center of attention of public opinion for all the 19th century there Were brisk disputes of fritreder and protectionists. In the middle of the century it became clear that free trade policy proved to be insolvent. More and more minds of Russia inclined to transition to protectionist customs policy. Among them there was also an outstanding scientist D.I. Mendeleyev who played a significant role in formation and implementation of customs and tariff policy of Russia at the end of XIX - the beginning of the 20th centuries.

In 1877-1891 significance of a political policy within which Russia tried to suspend economic expansion of foreign states was attached to customs policy (and first of all Germany).

1877 is considered year of transition to protectionism. From this year transition to collecting duties in a gold standard was undertaken, and customs tariffs began to be raised steadily. Custom duties grew by such goods as coal, iron, ores, gold, silver, cement, silk, cloths, yarn, tea, wines, hop, cast iron, copper, a brick, cotton, vessels, farm vehicles, cars. In comparison with the previous period of free trade, the new tariff system cardinally differed.

But statesmen went further away. In 1889 at the request of Alexander III development of the new customs tariff began. For its development the committee led by D.I. Mendeleyev into which experts, representatives of the commerce and industry enterprises, agricultural productions entered was created. Let's note that representatives of the commerce and industry enterprises which as now speak - worked at the earth there were 62 persons. D.I. Mendeleyev headed this process not accidentally. By this time it dealt with customs issues much and even sent to the Minister of Finance I.A. Vyshnegradsky the note «Materials for revision of the customs tariff of the Russian Empire» in which economically proved need of introduction of the new customs tariff. D.I. Mendeleyev was most a stickler of the protectionist ideas and had very considerable influence among economists of that time. He considered necessary carrying out industrialization in Russia, called the customs tariff of one of measures of support of the domestic industry.

The principles of new customs policy formulated by D.I. Mendeleyev formed the basis of a new course of economic development of Russia. Therefore the tariff of 1891 received the name of «mendeleevsky».

The new customs tariff took effect on July 1, 1891. Protection of production in all industries was its main line. The new tariff protected everything that was manufactured in Russia. Duty-free left only 14 names of goods by which almost and there was no import. Thus, tried to save domestic market for the Russian producer, to make domestic goods competitive. The truth the interests of consumption and agricultural industry were forced to pale into insignificance.

The new tariff did not change only 38% of rates of 1890. In 293 cases (51.8%) custom duties were raised. In 14 (2.5%) duty-free goods were taxed before.

In relation to 1890 increase in duties was moderate, and to rates of 1868 - striking. Duties on kerosene grew by 3 times, by oil in 2, on engines - in 4, on iron - in 3-4, on copper - by 6-8 times; on cast iron - at 9-15.

New tariffs appeared above rates on similar goods of many other countries (for example, in Russia on cast iron the rate was 30 kopeks from pood, in the USA - 8.3 kopeks). In relation to domestic prices some rates were really «enormous»: on oil the price was 1.25-2.5 kopeks for pood, and duty of 20 kopeks, on kerosene of 3-9 kopeks - duty of 1 rub, on iron of 1.00-1.33 rub - duty of 50 kopeks.

In a tariff of 1891 the relation of duties to the value of goods exceeded 30% (against 12.8% in 1868), and it seemed that import of goods to Russia will sharply be reduced. But it did not occur what changes of volumes of import testify to: 1891 - 371 million rubles; 1892 - 400 million rubles; 1893 - 450 million rubles; 1894 - 554 million rubles. As a result also customs income grew: in their 1888-1890 122 million rubles, and in 1893-1895 - 162 million rubles gathered on average. The revenues of the budget increased from 896 million rubles in 1891 to 1160 million in 1894.

Growth of duties caused increase in inflow to the country of the foreign capital, and in those industries which tried to strengthen - coal, metallurgical, machinebuilding, chemical. The total amount of investments grew from 186 million rubles in 1890 to 762 million in 1900.

Thus, the 90th years of the 19th century in Russia can be characterized powerful economic recovery.

Working on the new customs tariff, D.I. Mendeleyev studied and collected a huge number of unique statistical information. Having generalized it, the scientist publishes in 1891-1892 work under the name «Sensible Tariff, or Research about

Development of the Industry of Russia in connection with Its General Customs Tariff of 1891». D.I. Mendeleyev includes detailed comments on the customs tariff in it, economically proves the taxation rates accepted in it by separate types of goods. Also the scientist gives the detailed description of a condition of primary branches of economy and the prospects of their development. A huge number of the sources and materials which are contained in «A sensible tariff» were carefully processed and systematized. This work became a peculiar economic encyclopedia of post-reform Russia. Before proving the concept, D.I. Mendeleyev studied international and domestic experience of foreign trade and customs policy and also used own observations and knowledge gained at a research of various branches of the Russian industry.

The scientist considered that the essence of protectionism consists not only in high duties on imported merchandises, not in the import ban, and in creation of economic conditions for development of the domestic industry. D.I. Mendeleyev drew a conclusion that the correct «sensible» tariff should be considered such in which each type of goods was discussed separately. He calls such approach «reasonable protectionism».

D.I. Mendeleyev proved the principles of customs protectionism. According to the scientist when developing a tariff it is necessary to recognize that «the customs tariff will always be a matter of time, conditions and circumstances of the country to which it is applied»; «from a tariff it is possible to wait for quite favorable fruits only when it is established strongly when to it there is an opportunity to be accustomed and when its system differs in integrity»; the tariff has to «specify clearly by everything and to everyone its true purposes and those beginnings which determine the sizes of its customs salaries».

In Article «Protectionism Justification» (1897) D.I. Mendeleyev urged not to reduce understanding of patronizing policy only to some custom duties. According to him, protectionism means not only duties, and all set of the actions of the state aimed at the development of trade and the industry and also agricultural industry and a social infrastructure. The scientist considered custom duties a small, but significant part of this policy. D.I. Mendeleyev writes about need of active impact of the state on economy. He emphasizes that the state is obliged to promote development of the industry and trade of the country in all possible ways. The years which passed after acceptance of a tariff of 1891 showed correctness of the chosen course in customs policy: import of goods to the country did not decrease, customs income increased, total income of the state also increased.

The uncommon economic talent of D.I. Mendeleyev was used on a national level and further. It was highly appreciated by S. Yu. Witte.

D.I. Mendeleyev had a considerable impact on the development program of the domestic industry and trade prepared in 1893 in financial department, participated in development of the customs tariff of 1903, paid attention to preparation of commercial treaties with other countries. At S. Yu. Witte D.I. Mendeleyev drew the conclusions practically on all actions concerning trade and the industry prepared analytical notes and the conclusions for the ministries and departments.

Summing up the results of our reasoning, we will note that problems of trade and economic policy of Russia were one of the major if not the basic, the direction in D.I. Mendeleyev's activity. The system of regulation of the customs tariff within protectionism and creation of a favorable situation for development of national production offered by D.I. Mendeleyev proved the viability and induced economic recovery of the 90th years of the XIX century.

Literature

mendeleev customs policy tariff

1) Интернет Источник http://www.hintfox.com/article/vklad-d-mendeleevav-razrabotky-tamozhennih-tarifov-i-ih-vlijanie-na-ekonomiky-rossii.html

2) Кисловский Ю.Г. История таможенного дела и таможенной политики России. - 3-е изд., доп. / Под общ. ред. А.Е. Жерихова. - М: РУСИНАПРЕСС, 2004. - 592 с. + илл.

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