Non-territorial Autonomy in Russia: Practical Implications of Theoretical Approaches

The Romanian Journal of Society and Politics. 2012. Vol. 7. No. 1. P. 27–47.

Rudneva Tatiana

Despite the theoretical possibility to use non-territorial autonomy as a mechanism through which ethnic groups can fulfil their right to self-determination along with other minority rights, not many states have been willing to put theory into practice. The article offers an explanation why wider applicability of NTA is problematic by arguing that the theory itself is not yet polished enough to be implemented. The study includes examination of both theoretical approaches and empitical data from a case study of an attempt to establish NTAs in the Russian Federation. The findings suggest that inconsistencies and unclarities in the theory do correlate with practical flaws of NTAs, which allows to suggest that when the theory is tested empirically, the reality reveals all the flaws of the theory.

Keywords: human rights, Minority Rights, non-territorial autonomy, cultural autonomy