Scientific Journal “Issues of National and Federative Relations”. Issue 4 (31), 2015.
CONTENTS
THE STATE, POLITICS AND LAW
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSES
CONTEMPORARY ETHNOPOLITICAL PROCESSES
POLITICAL CULTURE AND ETHNO-LINGUISTIC POLITICS
POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
AUTHORIZED TRAINING COURSES
THE STATE, POLITICS AND LAW
V.М. PLATONOV Ph.D. (law), Head of the Chair of Political Sciences of the Russian Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
S.S. ZHILTSOV Doctor of political sciences of the Russian Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
V.А. GLEBOV Ph.D. (law), Deputy Head of the Chair of Political Science of the Russian Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN UKRAINE: MAIN STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
The article is devoted to the consideration of the constitutional reform in Ukraine, which began after the collapse of the USSR. Development of the Ukrainian Constitution in the first years of independent development and its subsequent adoption took place alongside with the reformation of the state institutions. The article describes the main stages of the constitutional process in the period of independent development and shows the features and peculiarities of each stage, it also shows the influence of political and legal factors on such process. The article draws attention to the politicization of the issue of amending the Constitution at times of political instability and identifies the interference of the issue of the territorial and state structure with the process of constitutional changes. It demonstrates the impact of the debate between the supporters of federalization and supporters of the Ukraine's unity on the constitutional process.
Great attention is paid to the identification of the key factors that had a decisive influence on the course of the constitutional process, including defining the role of the Verkhovna Rada, the President and the Constitutional Court. The article highlights two key aspects of the constitutional reform: the content and the implementation mechanism.
Almost from the first years of the independent existence of the Ukrainian state, the people were excluded from the constitutional process. The authorities have drafted amendments to the Constitution based on their own interests. In the absence of legislation that clearly separates the powers of the separate branches of government, the dominant factor in the development of the Constitution was an agreement between the President and the Parliament, seeking compromise options of the provisions of the basic law.
The article discusses reasons for the frequent changes of the Ukrainian Constitution, which in the period of independent development of the Ukrainian state did not fully implement the functions of the basic law but rather acted as a contract between the regional elites, and the central authorities and the regions.
The political events of 2013-2014 in Ukraine have once again drawn attention to the issue of constitutional reform. This was facilitated by the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the law on amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution that returned the country to a parliamentary-presidential form of government. After the presidential elections of May 2014, the issue of constitutional amendments was raised in Ukraine, continuing the tradition of "constitutional modernization".
The article discusses potential areas for constitutional amendments and their impact on the subsequent political development of Ukraine.
Key words: the Ukrainian Constitution, the Constitutional Commission, the Constitutional Assembly, the political proces.
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSES
P.S. GELERANSKIY PhD, doctoral candidate, The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Russia, Moscow
REPRESENTATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BODIES OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT TERMINATION OF OFFICE
In the article the author analyzes the features of the interaction of representative and executive bodies of local self-government in the event of termination of their powers. The author concludes that the authority may be open-ended and fixed-term, as well as their termination, which can be time-sensitive, ie, carried out at a certain time, and early. Analyzes the reasons for the termination of powers in different cases, and the initiative of the termination, as well as understand scenarios, if such termination was initiated by a certain authority. We give suggestions on how you can be more efficient to carry out the termination of the powers of local authorities in the event of such a necessity.
Key words: local government, cooperation, legislative (representative) bodies, executive bodies, the formation of government, the powers of authorities, termination of powers of the authorities.
S.А. PROSTAKOV researcher at the Institute of Public Administration and Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, post-graduate student, Higher School of Economics, Russia, Moscow
TO THE ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL CONTEXT AND METHODOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO MAJOR GOVERNMENT NATIONAL POLICY DOCUMENTS IN POST-SOVIET RUSSIA
The article is a pilot material of a series of publications on the causes of the emergence, development and realization of two documents: the "Concept of National Policy", adopted in 1996 and the "Strategy of State National Policy of Russia until 2025". The basis of the article is an interview with V. A. Mikhailov, the head of the working groups for both documents. The politician and scientist gives his picture of the political situation in which the development of these documents took place and shares his vision of the features of each of them. In the article great attention is paid to the question why the "Strategy" did not imply creation of a special body for its implementation. It is concluded that in comparison with the "Concept" and other documents, the "Strategy" is the most successful tool for strategic planning of, and guiding the Russian national policy. The article uses the materials of expert evaluations, which were considered by the drafters of both documents.
Key words: the "Concept of National Policy", the "Strategy of State National Policy of Russia until 2025", national policy, nation, public administration, federalism, national relations.
D.S. SOLOVIEV post-graduate student, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Russia, Moscow
PLACE AND ROLE OF THE SUB-FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
In the article, the author examines the issues of regional policy in the Russian Federation at the present stage. He analyzes the issues of sub-Federal authorities in the framework of public administration, paying special attention to their place and role in this process.
Key words: public administration, power, regional politics, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Federal authorities, sub-Federal authorities, region.
CONTEMPORARY ETHNOPOLITICAL PROCESSES
K.V. KALININA D.Sc. (law), Professor at the National and Federative Relations Department of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Russia, Moscow
THE NATIONAL POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN STATE: ISSUES OF CONTINUITY
Historical comparison of the models of national policy in different eras (the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation) allows the author to reveal the deep historical and socio-political roots in the contemporary processes of interethnic relations and discuss elimination of serious shortcomings in the national policies of previous periods and injustices committed against some peoples.
Key words: national policy, the Russian Empire, the USSR, the Russian Federation, the national question, interethnic relations.
S.А. PISTRYAKOVA Candidate of political sciences, Assistant Professor at the Chair of National and Federative Relations, School of Regional Studies and Regional Administration, Institute of Public Administration and Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Russia, Moscow
ETHNIC RELATIONS IN MOSCOW: EXPERIENCE AND PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL AND LEGAL REGULATION (RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE YEARS 1990 TO 2010) PART II
The article examines the state and development dynamics of ethnic relations in Moscow during the post-Soviet period (1990-2010). Attention is drawn to the new scale and factors of ethno-social and ethno-cultural processes, affecting the socio-psychological situation in the capital. The article discusses socio-cultural aspects of migration, the problems of the integration potential of the host society, adaptive capabilities of migrants. It presents a detailed analysis of the processes of institutionalizing ethnic communities in Moscow, forms of representation and mechanisms of interaction with the city authorities. The author focuses on social practices in the activities of municipalities and civil institutions in the sphere of ethno-cultural, different models of social partnership. The author notes that ethnic relations are integrated, requiring an integrated approach to their regulation, taking into account the many non-ethnic factors, on the one hand, and accounting for ethno-political, ethno-cultural factors in different areas of life of the community, on the other.
Key words: government national policy, interethnic relations, governance in multicultural cities, ethnic communities, socio-cultural aspects of migration, integration, multiculturalism, managing cultural diversity, regulatory mechanisms, social practices, civil society.
E.N. YAMALOVA Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Public Relations of the Bashkir State University, Russia, Ufa
NATIONAL POLICY IN POST-SOVIET LATVIA
The article analyzes the national policy of Latvia in the post-Soviet period. Disclosed ethno-political factors of decision-making in the field of national integration. Considered the external factor influence on the liberalization of legislation in the field of Latvian citizenship. Empirical data allow to note a decrease ethnic tensions in Latvia compared with the first stage of post-Soviet development. At the same time, the problem of national integration is still far from being solved and continues to play a significant role in the political processes of the country.
Key words: ethnic policies, national policies, national minorities, nationalism, national consolidation, Latvia.
POLITICAL CULTURE AND ETHNO-LINGUISTIC POLITICS
I.А. SHAPOVALOVA Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor of the Chair of pre-university teaching of Russian as a foreign language, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Russia, Moscow
MAIN VECTORS OF RUSSIAN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN MODERN WORLD
The article has been prepared on the basis of the presentation made at the scientific and practical conference organized by the Commission on Education of the Council for Nationalities under the Government of Moscow. In the article, the author reveals the main vectors of development of the Russian language in the modern world. She explores the major functions of the Russian language, the competence of the Federal public authorities in this field and assesses the prospects for further development of the Russian language. Sepecial attention is paid to the use of the Russian language in the Internet.
Key words: Russian language, Russia, world community, influence, importance, development, multi-ethnicity, education, function, role, Internet.
S.R. PАRFENOVA candidate of legal sciences, Associate Professor of sociology and works with youth of the Bashkir State University, Russia, Ufa
THE FORMATION OF POLITICAL CULTURE IN THE CONDITIONS OF SOCIAL AND POWER RELATIONS IN RUSSIA
In the article, the author explores the theoretical-methodological and practical issues of social and power relations and the mechanism of power through participation in processes of social actors dominating self-organization.
Key words: social and power relations, political culture, political identity, political processes.
POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
АSEF NADERY post-graduate student of the Russian Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
CURRENT STATE AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF RUSSIAN-AFGHAN RELATIONS
The subject of research is the international process concerning the development of Afghanistan as a participant in relations with Russia. The author shows that for the past two centuries Afghanistan was the crossroads of interests of several world powers. The author dconcludes that the changes in the world order during the last two decades demand from the Russian leadership now to radically review the foreign policy pursued in Afghanistan. The paper shows that Russia seeks to find ways to save in the region a balance of power. At the same time, the situation is forcing Russia to look for opportunities to limit the impact of foreign states on the Afghan political life.
The work uses the method of comparative historical analysis, documentary analysis of archival data and the logical differentiation of sources.
The novelty of the research is determined by the fact that the article considers the threat of terrorist activity against Russia from organizations based in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Proceeding from such analysis of the main activities of terrorist organizations in the countries of Central Asia, the article discusses their impact on the security of Russia. On this basis, the author formulates a number of recommendations for the policy of Russia and CSTO aimed to counter the security threats in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Key words: Central Asia, Afghanistan, former territory of the Soviet Union, politics, Russia, CSTO, NATO, terrorism, religious extremism, development, structure.
D.A. JIVANYAN Post-graduate Student of the Department of Comparative Politics People’s Friendship University of Russia, Russia, Moscow
U.S. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AS MEANS TO ENHANCE ITS IMAGE IN ARMENIA
This article analizes the efficiency of the U.S. public diplomacy in Armenia. Through the system analysis the author defines the main directions of U.S. public diplomacy in Armenia.
Key words: public diplomacy, Armenia, USA, mass media, civil society, NGO.
HUSSAIN ALI MOHAMMAD MAHDI post-graduate student at the Chair of Political Sciences of the Russian Peoples' Friendship University, Afghanistan, Kabul
TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE NATURE OF CONFLICTS IN AFGHANISTAN
In the article, the author analyzes the conflicts in Afghanistan, investigating their nature, character and mechanisms of settlement. The author analyzes the impact of the U.S. on political situation in Afghanistan.
Key words: conflict, political system, gadministration, influence, Afghanistan, USA, confrontation.
BARRY HASSIMIU Post-graduate Student of the Department of Comparative Politics People’s Friendship University of Russia, Senegal, Dakar
RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN WEST AFRICA
In the article, the author studies the problem of the spread and evolution of Islam in West Africa. The author notes that during the colonial period, various fundamentalistic trends penetrated the French West Africa, as well as the territory of the Gold and the Ivory Coasts from the Middle East and North Africa. A new period began in the history of Islam when previous ideological and religious establishment that allowed all-pervasive syncretism of Islam with traditional African religions and cultures were re-evaluated and the concept of faithfulness according to Salafi standards (those are the original, bequeathed by ancestors), norms and ideas and their realization in life were introduced. New Muslim figures who have received broad and deep education in prestigious Islamic universities of North Africa and the Middle East attempted to introduce the original principles of Islam in the religious practice, socio-cultural and every day life.
Key words: Islam, fundamentalism, extremism, West Africa, the ideology of Islamic unity.
AUTHORIZED TRAINING COURSES
N.P. MEDVEDEV D.Sc. (political science), Professor at the Peoples’ Friendship University, Russia, Moscow
POLITICAL REGIONALISTICS: TO THE QUESTION OF THE SUBJECT FIELD AND NEW CONTENT OF THE DISCIPLINE
The article attempts to give a new interpretation of the subject field of «Political Regionalistics» and clarify the content of the discipline. The article contains an author's program of the training course on "Political Regionalistics" for the students of political sciences of the Russian Peoples' Friendship University.
Key words: political regionalistics, regional political process, subject of the Russian Federation, international experience of regional development.