Centre and Province: an Evolving Relationship

Abstract

The preceding chapter examined the economic structure of Volgograd oblast in the context of its regional setting. The current chapter explores the evolving political situation as power and authority are redefined and reallocated. The broad contours of the transition from communism are well known and have been well documented (e.g., Sakwa, 1996). Attempts to address the crisis of the communist system under Gorbachev, by introducing glasnost and perestroika, ultimately resulted in a chain of events including the demise of the communist system in the USSR and in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of the USSR itself and the decision to establish a political democracy and a market economy under Yeltsin. All in all these developments resulted in a movement of power and authority away from the centre. Previously power and authority had radiated from Moscow. The centre has since the reforms increasingly sought to delegate more competences to regional and provincial bodies while at the same time striving to safeguard the integrity of the Russian Federation. Clearly this process has not always run smoothly as the regional and provincial bodies have attempted to assert their positions, seizing as much power as possible to themselves, consequently becoming involved in conflicts with the centre and other more local ‘competitors’.