What was "the duma" in russia?

Question

is it the type of government russia was under? or is it a person?

Answer 1

Elder statesmen who needed to check the Tsars

Answer 2

It is their equivilant to our congress or the British parlament.  You might be surprised to learn that they, (and the previous Soviet government) have a constitution with a lot of democratic protections built in.

But powers at the top, of ANY government can all to easily be corrupted by that power.  The tendancy is for them to do what they can to RETAIN that position.  (think FDR, Nixon, George W. Bush)