Author Vitaly Ivanov, a columnist and political analyst, notes at the outset that this work is at the intersection of history, political science, and the law. Ivanov is after the substance and the guiding principles of centralization, offering a brief account of the succession of efforts undertaken to put the doctrine into practice. He incorporates some thoughts about the effectiveness of the current reforms, but stops short of speculating about their ultimate success. The author functions less as a critical arbiter than an informed, but ultimately sympathetic chronicler, providing a valuable summary of the developments.
Although Ivanov’s introduction implied that the book would probe the genuine motives behind the reforms, the sweeping dynamics of the process take precedence throughout the book. The author sees the country’s effective centralization as an imperative for political leaders. Ever since the final gasps of the Soviet Union, Russia’s federal authorities have been engaged in an intricate power play with regional elites, reconciling the efforts to placate and compromise with the ultimate goal of strengthening the practical role of the center.
The book outlines some caveats of centralization, particularly in the case of regional mergers, but Ivanov argues in favor of the general direction of reforms set by the president, even though it may be too early to judge their outcome. What is entirely missing, however, is the grassroots perspective, the experience of regular constituents. As the vertical of power soars upward, the responsiveness of local authorities to the basic needs and aspirations of the population continues to lag behind.
Russia Profile December 20, 2006
