In the wake of the USSR鈥檚 breakup, the eighty-nine constituent subjects of the Russian Federation emerged as political players, grasping power for local policies from a weakened central authority and electing the legislators who have altered the complexion of the central government. Beyond the Monolith examines the impact of Russia鈥檚 emerging regionalism on the political, economic, and social transformation of the largest of the successor states of the Soviet Union.
The authors explore significant variations and similarities between different provinces; the development of federalism in Russia; the effectiveness of local government; the power relationships between the center and the regions; the differential impact of privatization outside Moscow and St. Petersburg; and the role of environmental, public health, and labor market factors in regional economies.
