Subnational Authoritarianism in Russia

Author(s): Vladimir Gel'man
Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 67
Pages: 2-5
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2009

The contemporary Russian constellation of localized politics and monopolized control by the local elites, dubbed subnational authoritarianism, was typical in various historical settings and for numerous regions and cities in many countries from Latin America to South-East Asia; the political machines in US cities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries also presented an example of this type of government. Subnational authoritarianism in various countries and regions differed considerably in terms of its genesis, forms of rule, and consequences: some subnational authoritarian regimes were temporary and transitional; others dug in for long centuries. This article addresses the general trends and special features of subnational authoritarianism in Russia.

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