What do you see as the main reason for the contradictory nature of the internal policy of Catherine II?

Catherine II clearly understood that she had no legal rights to the Russian throne. Therefore, she relied on the aristocracy and lobbied for its interests. She had to maneuver between influential noble factions in order to keep the crown. It was under Catherine II that serfdom became stronger and tougher. The peasants were completely enslaved and became the integral property of their masters. During this time, there were numerous peasant revolts and uprisings. The largest of which was the Pugachev uprising.