The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the concept of "mercy" ("sovereign mercy") as a key element of the legal and political culture of the Russian state of the 17 century. Based on the study of the texts of normative legal acts of the 17 century, the author notes that this concept had a multifaceted content that went far beyond a simple act of pardon. Mercy is studied as an instrument of governance, as the highest form of justice above formal law, and as a fundamental ideological principle legitimizing the unlimited power of the autocrat. It is concluded that the institution of mercy was an integral part of the paternalistic model of power, emphasizing its sacred character and the personal connection of the monarch with each subject. The practice of using the term "mercy" in legal documents ensured the flexibility of law enforcement.
milost', pravo, car', pomilovanie, miloserdie
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