Why did Aleksandr Pushkin write political poems against autocracy?

Aleksandr Pushkin’s political writings were deeply influenced by his desire for essential social reforms in Russia. While he sympathized with the Decembrist movement, he eventually concluded that a struggle against autocracy without broad popular support was doomed to fail.1

Consequently, Pushkin advocated for reforms to be initiated from above, specifically by the tsar. This perspective is reflected in his poem "Derevnya," where he explored the necessity of state-led change. His interest in the potential for enlightened leadership led him to frequently invoke the example of Peter the Great—the "tsar-educator"—in works such as "Stansy" and The Bronze Horseman, using these historical figures to contrast with the contemporary reality of Nicholas I.1

Ultimately, Pushkin’s political engagement was driven by a pragmatic, albeit complex, hope that the monarchy could be persuaded to act as an agent of progress for the Russian people.1