Abstract
This article describes local self-government in Russia, assesses the past and present state of local self-government in Russia, and considers the main problems hindering the further development of local self-government. The article concludes with several solutions to these problems.
Notes
1. Throughout this article the Russian terms soobshchestvo and poseleniia are both translated as “community.” The term poseleniia is commonly translated as “settlement.” In this context, I believe the term “community” is more appropriate. Also, the Russian word polnomochie is translated as “legal power.”—Trans.
2. “Federal subjects” in this case refers to the “federal subjects of Russia” (sub’’ekty Rossiiskoi Federatsii), which are the constituent entities of Russia (cf. U.S. states).—Trans.
3. The “elected village official” here refers to sel’skii starosta, who is an elected official of rural society. The term comes from the hierarchy of the rural government of the Russian Empire.