Regional elites role in the development of international activities (experience of the Sverdlovsk region)

Introduction. The institutional system of powers division in modern federations, the processes of globalization stimulates the regions to develop international cooperation. The region’s involvement in international activities brings about the need to research the issues of regionalism and federalism. However, the research quite often fails to notice the influence of the regional elite on the development of the region’s international activities. Aims. Using the experience of the Sverdlovsk region, to analyze the interrelation of the regional elites interests, the peculiarities of their political identity and the development of paradiplomacy. Methods. The elite-centered paradigm for political process; neo-institutional method viewing the political institutions as resulting from elite’s interests; the analysis of normative acts to identify trends in the development of paradiplomacy in the Sverdlovsk region; the comparative method to show the evolution of international activities of the Sverdlovsk region elites. . Results. The decentralization of the 1990s and the formation of the regional identity of the elite groups determined the active regional elite participation in international activities of the Sverdlovsk region. International economic and political activities of the region went in line with the policy of power groups building their sovereignty. The regional elite supported the formation of paradiplomacy as a political institution alternative to the state. As a result of the federal reform, regional elites lost political and economic autonomy and their opportunities to develop international relations were minimized. Conclusion. Political and economic interests of the regional elite largely determined the development of paradiplomacy in the Sverdlovsk region. Despite the vertical integration of regional political class into the governance system, the regional elite have retained some opportunities and forms of participation in international activities.