The revenge of the Caucasus: Chechenization and the dual state in Russia

Abstract

Post-communist development in Russia has been characterized by the development of a dual state in which the constitutional order is balanced by the consolidation of an arbitrary prerogative state. This horizontal dualism has taken root in Russia's regions; and this is accompanied by the establishment of a form of vertical dualism in relations between the regions and the center. Attempts to overcome this form of segmented regionalism under president Vladimir Putin have been undermined by the development of Chechenization, which represents not only the repudiation of dualism in this republic, but threatens to undermine the precarious balance between the constitutional and prerogative states at the federal level as well. Chechenization has its opponents in Moscow as well and its fate is defined by the struggle between the factions at the center. The process of “separatism without secession” is a highly ambiguous one and reflects broader developments in the Russian state as president Dmitry Medvedev seeks to strengthen the constitutional pillar of the dual state.

Keywords:

• Chechnya
• dual state
• Chechenization
• segmented regionalism
• kadyrov
• Jihad

Notes

Magomed Vakhaev was deputy chairman of the Duma's Security Committee; Akhmar Zavgaev was deputy chairman of its Budget Committee; Alid Yakhikhadjiev was deputy chairman of its Health Committee; and, finally, the most trusted of Ramzan Kadyrov's lieutenants (and his nominated successor), Adam Delimkhanov, became deputy chairman of the Duma's Regional Policy Committee. Delimkhanov was also appointed an advisor to the Chechen president for law enforcement and general matters.

Of course, formal unemployment figures do not cover extensive engagement in the shadow economy.

For a detailed analysis see Hahn. In other studies in the series Hahn analyses the thinking and tactics of the new mastermind of jihadist terror in the Caucasus emirate, Said Abu Saad Buryatskii, whose death on 3 March 2010 provoked a renewed surge in violence.

As far as Kadyrov was concerned (“Kavkaz”), the west was behind the insurgency in the north Caucasus, “interested in severing the Caucasus from Russia.”

Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachaevo-Cherkessia, whose total population according to the 2002 census was 6.2 million, and Stavropol region, with a population of 3 million, overwhelmingly ethnic Russian.

He made these comments in Stavropol on 23 January 2010 in a meeting discussing the development of the North Caucasus Federal District, although there is no formal transcript of the meeting. See <http://premier.gov.ru>.

In this interview he spoke warmly of Surkov, “Who often helps me with advice.”