Russia, ethnoregionalism and the politics of federation

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Abstract
This article examines the relationship between federation, transition and ethnoregionalism within Russia. It is divided into three parts. Part one examines the federalization of post‐Soviet Russia, teasing out in particular the initial problems associated with constructing a federation based on compromising the ethno‐republics and their conception of national self‐determination. In part two, the tensions generated between the centre and the ethno‐republics are considered by focusing on the relationship between federation and democracy, economic relations and fiscal federalism, and over cultural rights and autonomy. While it is noted that such tensions have fuelled ethnoregionalism, calls for full political sovereignty have been limited to only one ethno‐republic, Chechnya. Part three therefore examines why the appeal of secessionism has been limited by drawing upon resource mobilization theory. The role, in particular, that local political élites, communal identities, and economic viability play in both enabling and constraining the appeal of secessionism are briefly considered. The article concludes by suggesting that while the ethno‐republics are characterized by a weakly developed federal idea, the political resources available to mobilize constituents behind the secessionist cause are more limited than is often assumed.

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