Setting the political agenda in the Russian Far East in the post-Soviet era

The construction of national values has been the highest priority for the Russian Federation (RF) into and during the post-communist era. In this transition period this democratic process shifted focus from central government to regional authorities, and the centrally planned economic system simultaneously transferred to a largely market economy. A struggle for authority arose between the centre and the periphery, regional leaders endeavouring to gain more political autonomy and economic power within the federation. Those with strong economic ties attempted to expand their spheres of influence through a political and legal agenda, believing that the regions should be the main implementers of their own social and economic development. In this context, my research specifically focuses on analysing issues of the political agenda in the Russian Far East (RFE) in the post-Soviet era (1991-1997), drawing upon, but also extending, the methodology developed by Tarschys (1979) and other scholars. I do this in the light of present market development, treating both domestic and international agendas. I utilise content analysis, exploring these agendas and discussing possible future trends. Of primary significance are questions raised by regional leaders and their public on both domestic and international political issues in the RFE. It can be clearly seen from the results of content analysis that the following issues are accorded most weight in their press coverage. In the domestic sphere, my thesis explicates the changing forms of regional autonomy in the RFE and the relationship between the centre and the periphery in the process of economic transformation. I also explore the level of regional environmental problems affecting public health, and the related issues of ethnic identity and mortality. I draw attention to the differing socio-economic situations within the RFE and also compare the region as a whole with other regions of the federation. On the international front, improvement of political conditions in Northeast Asia coupled with decentralisation and growing regional autonomy in the RFE have developed a favourable environment for international economic relations with the closest countries, China, Japan and the two Koreas. I examine ways in which the RFE has reformulated its political and economic interest in the context of a changing international environment. In each cases, the construction of the political agenda is found to result from a complex interaction of local, federal, and (in some cases) international interests