ABSTRACT
Russia is facing a difficult period of economic and political transition. The Federation is attempting simultaneously to restructure its entire economic system, protect the well-being of its citizens, stabilize prices and attain external balance, provide public services to support social and economic development, and establish a system of governance acceptable to regions whose cultural identity, natural resource endowments, and degree of economic development differ widely. In addition, it has only recently overcome a constitutional debate over its future.
