Development potential of the Institution of the heads of village community in modern Russian municipalities (on the example of sociological research in Tver Region)

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The subject of this article is the analysis of indicators that characterize development potential of the institution of the heads of village community (Starosta) in modern Russian municipalities. These indicators include the representations, opinions and attitudes of the residents of different types of municipalities regarding the institution of the headman. The conducted research allows determining the peculiarities of administrative and self-governing processes on the local level, as well as outline the development prospects for the Institution of the heads of village community in Russia. The object of this article is the residents of different types of municipalities in Tver Region. Using the method of structured interview the author provides the data of sociological monitoring carried out in Tver Region in the 2018-2019, as well as the results of sociological survey conducted in rural municipalities in accordance with a specifically developed toolset (2019). The article analyzes the attitude of the population of Tver Region towards implementation of post of headman (Starosta) in the rural areas; examines the awareness of rural residents on the institution of the heads of village community, their representations on the nature of social position of Starosta, legal status and social functions of the institution. The author’s special contribution consists in identification of characteristics that form social portraits of categories of citizens who gear towards the development of the institution of Starosta and participation in its functioning. The acquires results can be used by state and municipal branches aimed at engagement of population in the practices of self-governance.