Regionalism and distribution of powers in federal states

Abstract

© 2016, National Research University Higher School of Economics. All rights reserved.The purpose of this article is to analyze the influence of regionalism on the mechanism of distribution of powers between the levels of authorities within the federal states. The objectives of the research are: - to identify and classify the different models of distribution of powers in modern federations, based on the examples of Switzerland, Belgium and the Russian Federation; - to determine the principles of distribution of powers; - to find the most effective models of distribution of powers; - to make practical recommendations on distribution of powers for the Russian federal system. System analysis and comparative analysis methods were widely used as well as a didactic method. The result of the research: Regionalism determines the particular model of distribution of powers in modern federations; the regions initiate the principles of distribution of powers such as subsidiarity and enhanced cooperation. Conclusions: - the modern federal settings demonstrate three models of distribution of powers depending on the role of the regions (constituent units) within the federation; - the principle of subsidiarity is proved to form the basis for the most effective models of distribution of powers in modern federations; - the agreements between the constituent units of federations and the federal center and the units are the result of implementation of the principle of enhanced cooperation.