Actual Challenges to Local Self-Government Development in Russia and Norway

Abstract

The article examines the systems of local self-government in Norway and Russia considering specificity of external and internal conditions of local authorities functioning. The authors compared main stages of local self-government development, management tools, revealed topical for both countries issues, analyzed factors stipulating municipal reform. Principles, mechanisms and methodic basis of reforming municipalities through amalgamation are presented.

Keywords

• local self-government
• municipal reform
• amalgamation of municipalities
• financially robust municipalities
• international cooperation