战略与国际研究中心-PONARS-Policy-Memo-222_3页_73kb

Uryupinsk: Civil Activism without NGOs – The Communist Party as a Civil Society Substitute

核心内容

Uryupinsk, a provincial city in Russia, is notable for its active civil society despite the absence of significant non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Located approximately 300 km from Volgograd, the city has a population of about 40,000 and is known for its healthy environment and local industries such as sunflower oil production and agricultural machinery. The city's mayor, Valery Sushko, has promoted the development of a unique local product: shawls made from goat down, which he claims are superior to Angora goods.

Unlike many other Russian provincial cities, Uryupinsk has managed to maintain a sense of community and civic pride. This is partly due to its geographical distance from major transportation routes like the Volgograd-Moscow highway, which typically drains the population to larger urban centers. The city has also received a grant from the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation), highlighting its potential for development.

主要观点

• Communist Party as a Civil Society Substitute: In Uryupinsk, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) has taken on the role traditionally played by NGOs. It is the largest and only active organization in the city, fulfilling functions such as community organization, education, and local advocacy.

• Absence of Competitors: The lack of competing political ideologies and organizations in the city allows the KPRF to dominate civic life. This dominance is further reinforced by the historical destruction of potential rival groups such as the church and Cossack "krug" (local government).

• Local Focus and Activities: The KPRF in Uryupinsk is primarily engaged in local issues rather than national politics. It has been instrumental in developing the local educational system and maintaining a network of women's councils and trade unions.

• Survival and Adaptation: The party has adapted to the post-Soviet era by positioning itself as a defender of the common people's interests. It has survived ideological shifts and continues to play a key role in local governance and development.

• Resource Scarcity: Small cities like Uryupinsk face a lack of resources and support from national and international foundations. The KPRF compensates for this by mobilizing its own resources to support local initiatives.

关键信息

• City Profile: Uryupinsk is a small, provincial city with a population of around 40,000, located near the river Khoper.
• Economic Activities: The city's economy is based on industries such as sunflower oil and agricultural machinery, with aspirations to develop the goat down industry.
• Political Landscape: The KPRF is the dominant political force, with no significant competitors in the local context.
• Civil Society Functions: The KPRF fulfills civil society roles such as community organization, education, and advocacy, despite not being an NGO.
• Soros Foundation Involvement: Uryupinsk has received support from the Soros Foundation, which has contributed to its development initiatives.
• Mayor's Role: Mayor Valery Sushko, supported by the KPRF, has shown a pragmatic approach to development, including the promotion of local products and accepting external funding.

推荐措施

To effectively build civil society in Russian provinces, the following strategies are suggested:

• Support Alternative Networks: Encourage the creation of new networks and organizations that can complement or replace the role of the Communist Party in civil society.
• Engage Local Communist Leaders: Include local Communist Party leaders in Western-sponsored training programs to foster their independence from party leadership and promote more diverse civil society activities.
• Promote Civic Awareness: Educate the population about the true nature of civil society and the role of NGOs, to avoid conflating the Communist Party with civil society institutions.

结论

Uryupinsk exemplifies how the Communist Party can function as a substitute for civil society in regions where traditional NGOs are absent or underdeveloped. Its success is attributed to historical dominance, local focus, and the ability to mobilize resources in the absence of external support. This case provides insights into the potential for redefining civil society in post-Soviet Russia through existing political structures.