Publisher's Synopsis
The relations between Moscow and the federal subjects has been a major issue of contention in Russian politics since the establishment of the Russian Federation in 1991. Traditionally most attention has been given to the political struggle between 'pro-' and 'anti-reform' groups in Moscow, but an equally fierce battle is also being fought out between the federal centre and the regions. - - One of the few texts to explore this subject in any detail, the book addresses the attempts at regionalization that have taken place in Russia since the break-up of the Soviet Union; particularly focusing on the power balance between Moscow and the Northwestern periphery of the federation. The book is unique in its cross-field approach to these issues, covering both legal, political and economic aspects of centre-region relations. Reporting first-hand experiences from the fisheries, offshore hydrocarbon resources and military sectors, this book provides an essential analysis of a fundamental, yet largely unexplored issue in Russian politics.
