REFORMS AND COUNTER-REFORMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MARATHON OF CENTURY AND A HALF LENGTH

Abstract

Lasting for more than 25 years, the process of establishing and reformation of local government is characterized by continuous transformations, which take place according to the scheme «reform-counter-reform». The phenomenon of progressive-return fluctuations is not a specific nature only of the modern period. The author finds its roots in the era of the «semstvo» and the urban reforms in the XIX^th c ent u r y. Na m ely w it h i n t h i s p er io d s t a r e d a nd s ti l l c ont i nue i n t h e or y and in practice the rivalry between the socio-economic and state concepts of local government. Modern action of «reform-counter-reform» mechanism is illustrated basing on the example of transformations of local self-government territorial organization.