Transition in Regional Capitals along the Volga

Abstract

A group of researchers led by two prominent Western economists examines the experience of 10 regional capitals along the Volga River following the disintegration of the USSR, during a period of significant transition in the municipal (government) and economic functions exercised by Russian cities. The authors survey general similarities in these cities? fiscal functions, privatization, and economic development, as well as place-specific differ-ences (e.g., unique resources, strong/weak government) contributing to divergence of eco-nomic conditions among them during the post-Soviet period. The study combines official data on economic performance, employment, and municipal budgets with fieldwork-based case studies, interviews, and survey research.