Governance in Russian Regions

This book investigates the emergence and working of governance networks in contemporary Russia. Drawing on a case study design, it provides a novel comparison of seven policy issues each investigated across various Russian regions or over time. Its authors reveal that governance networks are a ubiquitous phenomenon emerging in different regime types. It sheds light on how and why state authorities interact with non-state actors and unravels various types, functions and flavours of governance networks in Russia. By precisely tracing how state authorities govern networks under the terms of a hybrid regime, special emphasis is placed on the analysis of 'meta-governance' tools. Moreover, the book allows for theorising on governance in an increasingly authoritarian regime and thus can also be read as a unique contribution to research on governance theory in general. Creating a clear analytical framework it reflects the richness of governance theory and offers fresh perspectives on the nature of hybrid and 'new' authoritarian regimes. This original work will appeal to students and scholars of Russian Studies, public policy, political science, sociology, and public administration.

Chapter 1: The Russian state as network manager: a theoretical framework; Mikkel Berg-Nordlie, Jørn Holm-Hansen and Sabine Kropp.- Chapter 2: Adjusting the scope of interaction between state and civil society: HIV prevention among drug users; Aadne Aasland and Anastasia Y. Meylakhs.- Chapter 3: Environmental impact assessment: between facilitating public contribution and arbitrary involvement of NGOs; Johannes Schuhmann and Sabine Kropp.- Chapter 4: Climate change adaptation: governance in a fragmented and unsettled policy area; Jørn Holm-Hansen and Mikkel Berg-Nordlie.- Chapter 5: Child Welfare Policies in Russia- Civil Society Contributions without Return?; Jørn Holm-Hansen.- Chapter 6: Imitation and enforced cooperation: state and civil society in ethnic conflict management; Sabine Kropp and Johannes Schuhmann.- Chapter 7: Substitution in Sápmi. Meta-governance and Conflicts over Representation in Regional Indigenous Governance; Mikkel Berg-Nordlie.- Chapter 8: Patterns of governance in Russia: feedback of empirical findings into governance theory; Sabine Kropp and Aadne Aasland.