The Clash of Perspectives? The EU and Russian Views on Federalism LE CHOC DES PERSPECTIVES? L'UE ET LES PERSPECTIVES RUSSES SUR LE FÉDÉRALISME

摘要: Abstract: This article examines a conspicuous disconnect between the prevalent Russian and European narratives on costs benefits of federalism. The observed variation in dominant discursive frameworks can be attributed to distinct historical experiences, especially area centralization power-sharing. Attitudes toward federalism have also been affected by trajectory institutional development. In EU case, implies qualitative transformation, entailing political unification surrender national sovereignty an external, supra-national formation. To individual member-states, is challenge from above, which may make government less responsive exacerbate already existing democratic deficit. contrast, has question dividing power autonomy central regional governments, rather than external sovereignty. Correspondingly, post-communist federalization become associated with ad hoc bargaining, fragmentation, abuse power, encroachments jurisdiction - all emanating below. contrasting nature prior ongoing federalist projects Russia matters: Western perspective sympathetic priorities Russia's reforms, because they are viewed as amplifying deficit regions without enhancing democracy at level. Key words: federalism; decentralization; democracy; Russia; Union Resume: Cet examine un decalage apparent entre les recits repandus russes et europeens sur couts avantages du federalisme. La observee dans cadres discursifs dominants peut etre attribuee des experiences historiques distinctes, en particulier le domaine de la centralisation partage pouvoir. Les attitudes l'egard federalisme ont egalement ete affectees par trajectoire developpement institutionnel. Dans cas l'UE, implique une transformation institutionnelle qualitative, imposant l'unification politique l'abandon souverainete nationale organisme exterieur. Pour chaque etat membre, est defi venat haut, qui pourrait rendre gouvernement moins reactif exacerbe democratique existe deja. En revanche, russe pouvoir d'autonomie gouvernements centraux regionaux, plutot qu' defit externe nationale. De meme, federalisation post-communiste devenue associee negociation hoc, l'abus pouvoir, ainsi qu'aux empietements juridiction tout emanant dessous. contrastee projets federalistes anterieurs actuels l'UE Russie contraste: perspectives occidentales sont sensibles aux priorites reformes Russie, parce qu'elles considerees comme ampliation sans renforcer democratie au niveau national. Mots-cles : federalisme; decentalisation; democratie; Russie;Union europeenne 1. INTRODUCTION desirability shortcomings federal structure subject intense debate Russia. Europeans2 yet agree prospects ramifications their common institutions being "upgraded" full-blown state. federalism, too, still project attested more decade roller-coaster center-periphery bargaining renegotiating that so far failed settle down into stable arrangement. 3 Across board, critics brought up familiar list grievances against (in case Europe) or Russia) authority. …