Russia and the Challenge of Fiscal Federalism (World Bank Regional and Sectoral Studies)

This study examines Russia's system of intergovernmental finances as it operates at difference levels of government. It explains why such relations are critical to Russia's national goals and proposes the design of a well-functioning intergovernmental fiscal system. The book addresses two of the most divisive issues facing the federation today: the demands for fiscal sovereignty by the regions and the assignment of the revenues from natural resources to either the federal or regional level. It suggests that given Russia's need for growth, a new system should allow the better-off regions to derive some additional benefit from their larger tax base while also creating a formula-based equilization mechanism for transfers to poorer regions.