Synopses & Reviews
Many analysts initially believed that the process of Soviet disintegration would inevitably open a Pandora's box of ethnic nationalism and regional self-determination. But, despite obvious setbacks such as Chechnya, the developments of the last decade have shown that while forces of disintegration remain a very real threat, the fifteen successor states have managed to stay largely intact. One explanation for this somewhat unexpected success is the varied strategies of center-periphery relations adopted by the post-Soviet states, tailored to meet the unique of circumstances faced by each former republic of the Soviet Union. The contributors to this up-to-date volume examine the specific cases of success and failure in center-periphery relations in the former USSR, and offer some provocative overall conclusions about the progress made and the impact on the process of democratization.
The cases examined in this volume are drawn from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, among others. These case studies demonstrate that realtions between national and local governments have been evolving differently in each of the successor states in the but in each case there has been a conscious attempt to create stacble center-periphery relations, which give a degree of autonomy to minority groups while still providing for a stable state and democratic development. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of the former Soviet Union and those interested in federalization and center-periphery.
Review
Center-periphery relations in postcommunist regimes have been identified as both an important source and an indicator of democratization. Consequently, they have attracted much attention in scholarly work. This volume focuses on two dimensions of center-periphery relations: the development of federalism in the Russian Federation and the emergence of regional and local autonomy in the unitary states of Ukraine, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, and Central Asia. The volume makes a number of contributions to understanding the linkages between center-periphery relations and democracy. Each case study explores the emergence, development, and limits of federalism or local autonomy; each also provides useful insight into strategies that have been deployed. The two editors contribute introductory chapters for each of the major sections in which they identify criteria for determining the conditions of viable federalism and regional and local politics. They also provide two concluding chapters for each section, summarizing and assessing the patterns of development that emerge in their case studies. This approach provides unity. The conclusions, based on patterns identified in the case studies, indicate a mixed record and leave open the question as to whether evolving relations will contribute to lasting stability and democracy. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above.Choice
Synopsis
Analyzes the political and economic relationships between national, regional and local governments in the fifteen successor states to the old USSR.
Table of Contents
Center-Periphery Relations and Their Importance for the Successor States by Terry D. Clark and Daniel R. Kempton
Part I
The Challenges to Assessing Federalism in Russia by Daniel R. Kempton
Komi and Russia: The Development of Regional Politics by James Alexander
Bargaining with Moscow: The Case of Sakha by Daniel R. Kempton
Negotiating Autonomy for Tatarstan and Chechnya by Ann E. Robertson
The Kaliningrad Oblast--a Troublesome Excalve by Ingmar Oldberg
Federal Reform and Resource Conflict: The Nenets Autonomous Okrug? by Helge Blakkisrud
Assessing Russia's Evolution to Federalism by Danieal R. Kempton
Part II
Studying Local Politics in the Former Soviet Union by Terry D. Clark
Regionalism in Post-Soviet Ukraine by Paul Kubicek
Center-Periphery Relations in Lithuania: National-Local Links in Lithuaniar by Terry D. Clark
Central Power and Regional and Local Government in Uzbekistan by Lawrence R. Robertson and Roger D. Kangas
Identity/Difference in Central Asia: Tribes, Clans, and Mahalla by Anthony Bichel
Conclusions and Assessments: Strategies in Center-Periphery Relations by Daniel R. Kempton and Terry D. Clark
Index