Abstract: The subject of this article is the analysis of indicators that characterize development potential of the institution of the heads of village community (Starosta) in modern Russian municipalities. These indicators include the representations, opinions and attitudes of the residents of different types of municipalities regarding the institution of the headman. The conducted research allows determining the peculiarities of administrative and self-governing processes on the local level, as well as outline the development prospects for the Institution of the heads of village community in Russia. The object of this article is the residents of different types of municipalities in Tver Region. Using the method of structured interview the author provides the data of sociological monitoring carried out in Tver Region in the 2018-2019, as well as the results of sociological survey conducted in rural municipalities in accordance with a specifically developed toolset (2019). The article analyzes the attitude of the population of Tver Region towards implementation of post of headman (Starosta) in the rural areas; examines the awareness of rural residents on the institution of the heads of village community, their representations on the nature of social position of Starosta, legal status and social functions of the institution. The author’s special contribution consists in identification of characteristics that form social portraits of categories of citizens who gear towards the development of the institution of Starosta and participation in its functioning. The acquires results can be used by state and municipal branches aimed at engagement of population in the practices of self-governance.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the analysis of such indicator of the level of self-governance potential of population as the citizens’ representations on the nature of local self-governance, which imply the impact of the state and other social actors upon the local self-governance, as well as the citizens’ role in implementation of administrative activity at the local level. The examination of such representations allows determining the peculiarities of administrative and self-governance processes at the local level alongside the prospects for development of the municipal practices in Russia. The article provides the data of sociological monitoring conducted in Tver Region over the period from 2009 to 2018 (2009-2011 Tver; 2012-2019 Tver Region). The object of research are the residents of the cities, urban-type settlements and rural localities of Tver Region aged 18 and above. The method of formalized interview was applied in the course of the study. The author explores the representations of regional population about the optimal models of organization of administrative system by the modern Russian society, essential characteristics of the local self-governance, potential sources of influence upon the activity of the municipal authorities, as well as evaluation of the level of impact of ordinary citizens upon the work of government agencies. The author’s special contribution lies in tracing the dynamics of representations of the residents of Tver Region on the local self-governance throughout the recent decade, which allows determining the substantial growth of activist orientations of the Russian citizens, as well as the existence of barrier for realization of self-government potential of population. The acquired information can be valuable for the state and municipal authorities with regards to involvement of population into the self-governance practices.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the examination of possibilities of implementation of the electoral mechanism in the process of structuring of the municipal branches within the framework of various real and promising models of organization of the system of local self-governance, depending on the level of development of the self-governance potential of population and local territorial specificities. The object of this research is the residents of the cities, towns, and rural settlements of Tver Oblast, as well as the representatives of expert community of the region. The authors explored the attitude of respondents towards implementation of the electoral mechanism within the system of local self-governance. The article determine the level of electoral activity of population during the municipal elections, factors that affect the population, and character of citizens’ relation to municipal elections. Special attention is given to determination of the respondents’ attitude towards the models of electing the leaders of local self-governance, as well as promising models of organizing administration on the local level. The authors’ main contribution into the research of this topic consists in highlighting of the three key models of local self-governance, the application of which is possible various types of Russian territories: 1) paternalistic model; 2) model with implementation of the institution of prefects (but preserving the main elements of classical model of local self-governance); 3) classical model of local self-governance based on the activist political culture.

Abstract: The subject of this article is the examination of the real and potential socio-political activity of the Russian citizens. The authors analyze the forms of participation of the citizens in the social practices of local self-governance, as well as reveal the factors that activate and limit the participation of the population in the territorial self-governing practices. A special attention is given to the determination of social groups among the Russian local communities with the highest level of real and potential civic activity. The object of the research is the residents of the cities, townships or rural villages of Tver Oblast. The authors also present the data from sociological monitoring that was conducted in Tver region during the period of 2009-2014, using the method of formalized interviewing. This work studies the level and new forms of participation of the Russian citizens in the existing practices of local self-governance, and defines the potential readiness of the population for civil participation. The authors’ special contribution into the research of this consists in identification of the four categories of respondents: inactive, potentially active, active, and initiative citizens. The last two groups are characterized by the higher potential for self-governance and represent a possible social base and the core of initiatives of the local self-governance.