러시아 연방제 안정화의 근원적 제약요인 분석- 미？영 연방제와의 비교분석을 중심으로 -

Abstract

The Analyses of Destabilizing Factors in the Federal System of Russia - Based on the Comparative Studies with the Federal Systems of the United States and Great Britain - Hwang, O-Yeon It is generally perceived that the federal system of Russia is relatively less stable compared to other countries that adopt the federal system. Some experts make even more pessimistic observations on the prospect of the Russian federal system. Since the Russian system is fundamentally flawed in its structure, they predict that Russia may have to face the danger of second disintegration following the demise of former Soviet Union in the early nineties. The causes of these instabilities and insecurities are often ascribed to the following factors: a variety of ethnic groups, the gigantic size of the national territory, religious differences and conflicts, the conflicts and contentions over the economic wealth and its distribution, especially between the Russian central government and its local governments. However, this view appears to be somewhat less convincing because the countries like the United States and Peoples' Republic of China have similar factors. Consequently, the fundamental causes of the Russian problems should be found in the areas other than the ones listed above. The real causes of the perennially unstable Russian system are the undemocratic elements that have been deeply imbedded and accumulated in the process of establishing a new political system of Russia, which are hardly visible in the Western democracy.