Unity or Separation: Center-Periphery Relations in the Former Soviet Union

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Many analysts initially believed that the process of Soviet disintegration would inevitably open a Pandora's box of ethnic nationalism and regional self-determination. But, despite obvious setbacks such as Chechnya, the developments of the last decade have shown that while forces of disintegration remain a very real threat, the fifteen successor states have managed to stay largely intact. One explanation for this somewhat unexpected success is the varied strategies of center-periphery relations adopted by the post-Soviet states, tailored to meet the unique of circumstances faced by each former republic of the Soviet Union. The contributors to this up-to-date volume examine the specific cases of success and failure in center-periphery relations in the former USSR, and offer some provocative overall conclusions about the progress made and the impact on the process of democratization. The cases examined in this volume are drawn from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, among others. These case studies demonstrate that realtions between national and local governments have been evolving differently in each of the successor states in the but in each case there has been a conscious attempt to create stacble center-periphery relations, which give a degree of autonomy to minority groups while still providing for a stable state and democratic development. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of the former Soviet Union and those interested in federalization and center-periphery.

Reviews

Center-periphery relations in postcommunist regimes have been identified as both an important source and an indicator of democratization. Consequently, they have attracted much attention in scholarly work. This volume focuses on two dimensions of center-periphery relations: the development of federalism in the Russian Federation and the emergence of regional and local autonomy in the unitary states of Ukraine, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, and Central Asia. The volume makes a number of contributions to understanding the linkages between center-periphery relations and democracy. Each case study explores the emergence, development, and limits of federalism or local autonomy; each also provides useful insight into strategies that have been deployed. The two editors contribute introductory chapters for each of the major sections in which they identify criteria for determining the conditions of viable federalism and regional and local politics. They also provide two concluding chapters for each section, summarizing and assessing the patterns of development that emerge in their case studies. This approach provides unity. The conclusions, based on patterns identified in the case studies, indicate a mixed record and leave open the question as to whether evolving relations will contribute to lasting stability and democracy. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above.-Choice
"Center-periphery relations in postcommunist regimes have been identified as both an important source and an indicator of democratization. Consequently, they have attracted much attention in scholarly work. This volume focuses on two dimensions of center-periphery relations: the development of federalism in the Russian Federation and the emergence of regional and local autonomy in the unitary states of Ukraine, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, and Central Asia. The volume makes a number of contributions to understanding the linkages between center-periphery relations and democracy. Each case study explores the emergence, development, and limits of federalism or local autonomy; each also provides useful insight into strategies that have been deployed. The two editors contribute introductory chapters for each of the major sections in which they identify criteria for determining the conditions of viable federalism and regional and local politics. They also provide two concluding chapters for each section, summarizing and assessing the patterns of development that emerge in their case studies. This approach provides unity. The conclusions, based on patterns identified in the case studies, indicate a mixed record and leave open the question as to whether evolving relations will contribute to lasting stability and democracy. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice

Author Bio

Daniel Kempton is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Illinois University./e He has published widely on Russian politics and related topics. Terry Clark is an associate professor of political science and director of the graduate program in internationl relations at Creighton University./e He has published extensively on emerging democratic institutions in post-communist Europe.