State Goals and Private Interests in the Development of Transport Infrastructure in the Russian Black Sea Region in the Second Half of the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

The article examines the development of transport infrastructure and shipping in the Black Sea region through a case study of the establishment and initial development of the Russian Steam Navigation and Trading Company (ROPiT) from 1856 to the end of the 19th century. ROPiT was a joint-stock company co-owned by private entrepreneurs and the state. The article introduces the concept of “systemic actors”, arguing that the construction of Russia’s maritime infrastructure in the Black Sea region became possible due to the efforts of two systemic actors – Nikolay Arkas and Nikolay Novosel’skii, who had a comprehensive vision about the development not merely of maritime infrastructure but of infrastructure as a large technological system (Hughes). The article also defends the thesis that the development of the transport infrastructure in Russia was a complex cumulative process, result of a constant negotiation – of confrontation and relative agreement - of the different interests of the state and private entrepreneurs.