Modern state-territorial structure of the russian federation: legal problems of domestic federalism

Abstract

The article analyzes the modern features of the state-territorial structure of the Russian Federation. The author examines the evolution of the formation and development of domestic federalism, reveals its characteristic properties, which are expressed in relations between the federal center and the regions (subjects of the Russian Federation), as well as in the current specifics of the constitutional and legal status of some subjects of the Russian Federation. In the comparative legal aspect, taking into account the experience of some foreign states, the functional purpose of federal territories as special state-territorial units is revealed. Comparing the legal status of federal territories abroad, the author expresses his vision on the issues that should be reflected in the procedure for the formation of federal territories in the Russian Federation. Among the features of the state structure of the Russian Federation is the existence of federal districts, as administrative and managerial units, which act as a link between the federal center represented by the President of the Russian Federation and the heads of the constituent entities of the Federation, as representatives of the respective regions. Summing up his research, the author predicts possible ways of constitutional and legal changes in the state-territorial structure of the Russian Federation, the effectiveness of which will largely depend on the development of a comprehensive concept aimed at modernizing the domestic model of federalism. This concept should be based on principles, the observance of which will allow choosing the best option for modernizing the state-territorial structure of the Russian Federation, which will solve a number of problems of Russian federalism and the constitutional and legal status of the subjects of the Russian Federation. Among these principles, the author refers to the reduction in the number of subjects of the Federation, the alignment of their legal status, the delimitation of jurisdiction and powers, taking into account the degree of financial and material independence of the subjects of the Federation in resolving a number of issues within their exclusive competence.