The subject of the study is the determination of priority criteria for systematization and classification of multi-party systems in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. The genesis and evolution of political parties is examined, the role of the initiative minority in their creation and functioning is emphasized. The conclusion is substantiated that various groups of initiative minorities, comprehending the specific socio-historical situation in the country, develop their own models, ways and means of reorganizing society. On this basis, a system of political parties is formed, which compete with each other in the public political field, seeking support among the masses. The article gives the author's definition of the concept of “political party” and proposes criteria for classifying a party as one or another type.

The article is devoted to the political parties in Russia in the beginning of the XXth century: its origins, structure, programs, tactics. The author bound the Russian multy-party system with the society conditions, its stratification, the specific of the intellectual processes in the country. Тhe definition of the parties was formulated. It can be used in regard to the reality of the beginning of XXth century. Finally, the authors targeted the research perspectives of the parties in the Russian empire.

The article is devoted to the formation of the social movement in Russia, its modes and practices. In the article the social movement was defined firstly in the historiography. The authors distinguished the phases of the social movement and characterized them. They paid attention to the contemporary historiography situation and projected the perspectives of the further researches.