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Books by Grigory Yavlinsky
NIZHNI NOVGOROD PROLOGUE
Economics and Politics in Russia
The Center for Economic and Political Research (EPIcenter)
Nizhni Novgorod-Moscow, 1992
 
SECTION ONE
RUSSIA - THE SEARCH FOR POINTS OF REFERENCE
CHAPTER 1. FEDERALISM IN PLACE OF COMMUNISM.

1.3. THE GOALS.

New integration of Russian territories

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The present "Russian Federation", understood as a state entity, is not a fully-fledged country, but is in the process of transition.

The destiny of Russia can not be considered in isolation from that of the former USSR republics, especially Belorussia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and others. There is also a possibility that if Russia conducts certain policies together with at least some of these countries, and they coordinate their efforts against disintegration, a new integration will be achieved (in economic and political terms).

There are a number of reasons to desire such a development. If we accept the thesis that in the political, economic and cultural sense, disintegration of Russia continues the trend of disintegration of the USSR, then the opposite will become true - an integration on a new basis within the framework of the present "Russian Federation" will lead to the situation in which a new integration within the CIS will be achieved.

In this respect two scenarios seem possible. The processes within the CIS will initiate integration tendencies within Russia, and vice versa.

The latter variant seems to be the most likely, though the opportunities of the former should also be used (primarily, the recent proposals of the President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev on creating an economic council of the CIS, with specific obligations for all the participants; on forming a banking union of the CIS for those who remain and will remain in the rouble zone; on introduction of an economic court; and on strengthening of the economic union and organization, or the work of the interparliamentary assembly). Moreover, the wisest policy will be to make steps in both the directions.

Improvement of the situation in Russia will lead to the improvement of the situation in the CIS, and increased integration within the Commonwealth; and improvement of the situation in the CIS will in its turn lead to improvement of the situation in the entire world.

Disintegration of the USSR and the subsequent disintegration of Russia is not a single case, but a manifestation of a general tendency in the world - disintegration of multinational states (or, at least, the growth of tensions within them). No doubt, the disintegration of the USSR has enhanced this trend.

Successful solution of Russia's internal crisis can demonstrate that this problem can be positively solved.

If Russia cannot solve the problem of creating a new federation, and integrating on a new basis, it will be a lesson for the world. For how long will Russia be learning from the experience of Europe and the USA? We have a chance to show the world, and it will be a Russian example, an experience the world will be able to use.

To reach this goal we should...

- MAKE THE PROCESS OF NEW INTEGRATION A MANAGEABLE ONE, BASED ON COORDINATION OF THE INTERESTS OF THE NEW FEDERATION SUBJECTS.

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