One of the most important political institutions that has been present in Russia from before 1000AD until the early 1900's is Tsarism. It is a system of rule with a monarch with absolute power that has several subservients to help him control the vast area that comprises Russia. Ivan the 4th is an important example of a Tsar. After 1905, there is also a Russian parliament called the Duma that restricted somewhat the monarch's powers.