The Puzzle of Putin's Gubernatorial Appointments

摘要: Abstract This article confronts the puzzles at heart of Vladimir Putin's decision to eliminate Russia's gubernatorial elections: specifically, lack resistance among regions proposal, and relative ease speed with which electoral institutions were dismantled. It considers explanations central regional levels, revealing that Kremlin engaged interests incentives make system appointments seem appealing. After considering competing accounts objectives, analysis then focuses on Kremlin's revival Soviet-era institutional practices as serving elimination elections seemingly inevitable while rendering compliance obligatory.