Focus of Political Aspirations of Russians Shifting from Federal Center to Regions and Localities, Buyanov Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, July 19 – Reflecting a worldwide trend, Dmitry Buyanov says, “the civic-political aspirations of Russians are shifting from the federal level to the regional one,” a trend that is especially visible among young people.” But given the increasing centralization of Russian political life, regional and civic leaders have failed to respond.

            As a result, the Regnum political commentator says, studies show that there is a growing gap between regional and urban leaders, on the one hand, and the population, on the other, something that means many problems are never addressed and the population, while not yet prepared to protest is increasingly sullenly silent (iarex.ru/articles/86333.html).

            That may make life easier for officials now; but it does not bode well for the future, he says a series of new sociological studies suggest, because in the event of a crisis, those nominally in charge or regions and cities may not have the links they need to control the situation. Instead, they may find themselves blindsided by popular anger and uncertain how to respond.

            At present, Buyanov concludes, “local problems aren’t being solved and often aren’t addressed at all, teams of leaders aren’t being formed, and a significant human resource is being wasted or even comes to form opposition groupings.” Addressing this “should become a strategic task for the state” because it will require a fundamental change in elite attitudes.