Regional Opposition in Russia: Alien Element in the System of a Hybrid Political Regime
Article explores the process of adapting of regional opposition to the hybrid regime in Russia. In many Russian regions until the mid-2000s there was a workable opposition, which has been corresponding to democratic, less to a hybrid regime. Taming of the opposition at the Russian hybrid regime goes from the center to the periphery. In Russia a type of “hybrid opposition” was originally developed at the federal level. The article analyzes the main methods used by the authorities to limit the abilities of regional opposition. Methodological basis for identifying features of opposition in modern Russia is the concept of a hybrid political regime. Identified the features of the political opposition under hybrid political regime. Identified the functions of the political opposition under hybrid regime. As a result of the permanent institutional transformation the abilities of the regional opposition are blocked in elections at all levels. Discovered the role of political parties as a means of limiting the capacity of regional opposition. Characterized the institution of political apostasy and its role in the development of regional opposition. Analyzed successful strategies of regional opposition in the elections in 2012-2014. Measures to curb regional opposition that were made in the past ten years, failed to neutralize it. Potentially it is the opposition of grassroots political process tends to the practice of democratic struggles and violates the harmony of a hybrid political regime.