Alternative Logics of Russian Regionalism: Critical Theory Perspectives

This paper argues that a combination of different concepts in critical theories provides an interesting perspective—grounded in a peculiar interplay of different forms of power—on important mechanisms of change at the regional level in Russia. By resorting to critical theories one can better understand at least two important aspects of Russian regionalism. One is the dichotomy of politicization-depoliticization, which singles out two different versions of power relations. Another interesting conceptual departure is grounded in the dichotomy of sovereignty-governmentality. Reference to these theoretic constructs can help explain not only certain episodes in Russian regional politics, but also its deeper logic, including the strategies of specific regional policies towards the federal center and, vice versa, of Moscow's policies towards subjects of the federation.