Представительный орган местного самоуправления малого города: анализ состава депутатского корпуса в экономическом контексте (случай Кировской области)

Abstract

Introduction: at municipal level the public authority institutions are represented by the elected collective government bodies − City Dumas and Assemblies of Deputies. The composition of the deputy corps of local government representative bodies is one of the key parameters characterizing the political situation in municipalities. This article presents results of the study of elections to local government representative bodies in numerous small towns, typical for Russia, based on the data on Kirov region. Objectives: to identify local actors applying for positions in representative bodies of local government in small towns; to assess the impact of the town status (which defines the functionality) and its economy structure on the composition of the representative bodies of local government. Methods: the role of socio-economic profile and current socio-economic situation in the formation of the deputy corps in small towns was assessed based on the analysis of data from nine towns of Kirov region; all towns selected for the study are comparable in term of comparable population, but differ in status and functionality, and not all are equally prosperous in economic terms. Results: the main categories of deputies represented in Deputy Assemblies of small towns are highlighted and reasons for the prevalence of each category in the composition of the deputy corps are identified, as related to local economies features. Conclusions: in different socio-economic contexts, the composition of representative bodies differs significantly. Strong economic actors retain a high level of control over the local political field and dominate Deputy Assemblies in single-industry towns. The composition of Deputy Assemblies is more diverse in towns with diversified economies, but their Assemblies are also composed mainly of private business representatives. In towns with a difficult socio-economic situation Deputy Assemblies are composed mainly of budgetary institutions representatives.