| Abstract: | This article analyzes trends in Russian federalism by examiningthe rise of United Russia as a party of power. For the firsttime in post-Soviet history, a pro-presidential party of powerhas been successfully established, both reflecting and facilitatingpolitical recentralization. This article traces United Russia'srole in this recentralization process and examines the factorsthat have allowed United Russia to succeed as the central government'sinstrument for deepening and consolidating political centralizationwhere other attempts have failed. The impact of political recentralizationhas changed the face and nature of Russian federalism in a veryshort period of time and raises concerns that the politicaltrajectory of Russia is away from a federalist structure andtoward a unitary state. |
