The Decentralization Method as a Tool to Implement Social Initiatives of Citizens in Multinational States

• Author: D. Bunikowski - K. Ivanova
• Position: University of Eastern Finland Law School (Joensuu, Finland) - Tyumen State University (Tyumen, Russia)
• Pages: 7-25

BRICS LAW JOURNAL Volume IV (2017) Issue 1

ARTICLES

THE DECEnTRaLIZaTIon METHoD aS a TooL To IMPLEMEnT SoCIaL

InITIaTIVES oF CITIZEnS In MuLTInaTIonaL STaTES

DAWID BUNIKOWSKI,

University of Eastern Finland Law School (Joensuu, Finland)

KSENIYA IVANOVA,

Tyumen State University (Tyumen, Russia)

DOI: 10.21684/2412-2343-2017-4-1-7-25

In this article the decentralization process and decentralization method are reviewed.

Decentralization is the process of redistributing or dispersing functions, powers, people

or things away from a central location or authority. While centralization, especially in

the governmental sphere, is widely studied and practiced, there is no common denition

or understanding of decentralization. The meaning of decentralization may vary in

part because of the dierent ways in which it is applied. In this article the concepts

of decentralization are researched. Decentralization in any area is a response to the

problems of centralized systems. Decentralization in government, the topic most studied,

has been viewed as a solution to problems such as economic decline, government

inability to fund services and the general decline in performance of overloaded services,

the demands of minorities for a greater say in local governance, the general weakening

legitimacy of the public sector, and global and international pressure on countries with

inecient, undemocratic, overly centralized systems. The authors also research the issues

of personal federalism and the subsidiarity principle.

Keywords: decentralization method; subsidiarit y; multinational state; delegation of

powers; citizens’ participation in state aairs.

BRICS LAW JOURNAL Volume IV (2017) Issue 1 8

Recommended citation: Dawid Bunikowski & Kseniya Ivanova, The Decentra-

lization Method as a Tool to Implement Social Initiatives of Citizens in Multinational

States, 4(1) BRICS Law Journal 7–25 (2017).

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Concepts of Governing in Federal States

2. Decentralization – the Notion and Essence of It

3. Decentralization and Subsidiarity – Cooperation of Principles

4. System of Personal Federalism

5. Applying the Decentralization Method in Russia

6. French Experience in Applying the Decentralization Method

7. Pros and Cons of the Decentralization Method in the Case

of Diversication of Powers

8. Decentralization as an Instrument of Solving the Separation Issue

Conclusion

Introduction

The aim of this article is to shed light on the decentralization method as a tool to

implement social initiatives of citizens in multinational states. After some theoretical,

mostly legal-political considerations concerning decentralization are presented, the

article will focus on particular cases (Russia, France, the UK). Comparatively speaking,

this is to nd sound institutional inspiration for Russia’s decentralization. At the

end, a model for decentralization in multinational states (having in mind, rst of all,

Russia), including concrete actions, will be proposed.

At the dawn of mankind power was associated with the society as a whole.

Problems of everyday life were solved by a council of leaders of families and elders,

and compliance was expected from all adult members of society. Gradually power

was institutionalized and the personication of power appeared, transforming it into

public authority. The inheritance of power and its absolutization took place through

gradual limitation and then complete denial of the right to self-government and the

expression of the will of ordinary members of society.

But at a certain stage of social development absolutism sparks a crisis, giving

life to the ideas of constitutionalism, separation of powers, elected ocials and

control over their activities. In fact, in the public consciousness the idea of the need

to increase the opportunities of the citizens to participate in their government,

including through public initiatives, is born.