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Fiscal Federalism in Russia

Intergovernmental Transfers and the Financing of Education

9781840643763 Edward Elgar Publishing
Kitty Stewart, Research Fellow, London School of Economics, UK
Publication Date: 2000 ISBN: 978 1 84064 376 3 Extent: 192 pp
Fiscal Federalism in Russia examines the combined impact of decentralisation and diversity on regional equality of service provision and in particular the provision of education. The book begins with an analysis of the system of intergovernmental transfers and goes on to explore the nature and extent of disparities in education spending, paying particular attention to regions where spending has fallen furthest.

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Since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has experienced a process of rapid fiscal decentralisation: its 88 regions are now in charge of almost half of total budgetary expenditure, while an overhaul of the revenue allocation system has given them substantial control over locally collected revenue. These regions are highly diverse in climate, natural resources and economic development, with some much better equipped than others to adjust to market conditions.

Fiscal Federalism in Russia examines the combined impact of decentralisation and diversity on regional equality of service provision and in particular the provision of education. The book begins with an analysis of the system of intergovernmental transfers and goes on to explore the nature and extent of disparities in education spending, paying particular attention to regions where spending has fallen furthest.

The book also contains a case study of the allocation decisions affecting the education sector within a single region, Novgorod Oblast, in North-West Russia. Based entirely on field research, the study provides a rare insight into the decision making process at regional and local level, as well as an analysis of the extent of internal revenue and spending disparities.

Academics, researchers and those interested in decentralisation or the economics of transition will warmly welcome this detailed analysis of the direction and impact of inter-governmental transfers in Russia.
Critical Acclaim
‘Kitty Stewart has given us an intriguing study of the emerging system of intergovernmental fiscal relations in the new Russia. Having carefully assembled an extensive data set on the intergovernmental finance of education, she uses these data to test a number of important hypotheses concerning winners and losers, disparities in school expenditures, and the allocation of educational resources. The analysis gives us a close look at how the intergovernmental system of finance is working in Russia and leads to a series of proposals for improving the fiscal system.’
– Wallace E. Oates, University of Maryland, US
Contents
Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Are Intergovernmental Transfers Equalising? 3. The Impact of Decentralisation on Regional Equity of Education Financing 4. Local Financing and Control of Education: A Study of Novgorod Oblast 5. Conclusions Appendices References Index
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