Concrete maintenance of a regional policy in the post-reform period can to a large extent determine the logic of the process of new integration. This process can be divided into three stages: Controlled disintegration, unification and stabilization.

In the first stage, measures are taken to slow the destruction (controlled disintegration). In this period, the positive regional policy must change its direction from long-term concessions given to individual regions toward a basic regional structural and investment policy, toward an

unconditional guarantee of a functioning interregional infrastructure and the freedom of movement of the population. Special attention must be focused on ecologically dangerous production and technologies, the generation of their timely removal or conservation.

From the president and peoples' deputies must be demanded a constitutional amendment regarding economic and political equality of Russian lands.

The slogans of democracy and autonomy are being thrown about. These political measures can to an extent help lower the general dissatisfaction with economic policies. Upon a beneficial progression of events -- the acceptance of a new constitution and new elections, a stabilizing situation in three or four years. In total, the temporary protection of the federation with a "reform" center.

In the second stage (unification) the basic goal is one of the development of direct two-way ties to the center with regional or interregional groups as a means of creating a mechanism of influence of the regions in the settling of economic questions (tax and fiscal policies, government budget questions, creation of a normal investment climate, and conditions for manufacturing), control over the adherence to individual and nationality rights, the right to expatriate private property, (the right of ownership to any person in any region). The regulation of inter-regional conflicts, economic and political pressure on those regions calling for sovereignty along with simultaneous stimulation of their taking part in the solving of common questions. Transition to a representative democracy.

The penultimate step in this stage is the convocation of a sort of International Russian Assembly, the creation of new organs of central power and the ratification of new constitution, and a proposed creation of the agreement would be based on those regions who want to participate in

the Russian Federation. The remaining one may join at the next stage. The length of time for this stage depends on the time of its beginning and lasts from 2-3 to 5-7 years and more.

In the opposite case (a passive center), the possibility of rise in subcenter powers occurs in interregional territorial establishments and the conversion of Russia into a governmental entity of the confederation model. The center, wishing to keep its former power, relies on the army. There is the possibility of a temporary retrenchment into totalitarianism, leading in a short time for Russia to split into European and Asian parts, comprising several large interregional bodies with different levels of unity.

In the next stage (stabilization), special attention must be given to guaranteeing human rights, the personal safety and development of the individual on a basis of moral and spiritual rebirth. By the time such a stage begins there must be developed a state idea which must be in harmony with the religious canons of all the peoples of Russia and with the common cultural traditions of all the nationalities. Most likely, it will be the idea of justice, common consent and welfare of the citizen. The role of the Orthodox Church will increase as a uniting factor for the basic (Russian) kernel of a new Russia. Those non-Orthodox regions uniting with Russia would enjoy full autonomy in the national- cultural spheres. It is rather unlikely that this will become a republican democracy along the lines of the Western model. It will be a pluralistic democratic society.

In the best case scenario, in 10 to 15 years after the beginning of the third stage, Russia may be the third or fourth largest economy in the world and occupy a place among the twenty countries with the highest standard of living.

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