Implementing the «City Manager» Model in Russia: Limitations and Advantages

Abstract

The paper analyzes advantages and limitations of the implementation of the «city manager» model in municipal management. The main research method is a survey of experts (local government leaders; N = 582). The study reveals the following advantages of appointing a city manager under a contract: separation of political and administrative functions in local government, transparency of the activities of a local administration leader, and professionalization of municipal government. Problems in the implementation of the model are insufficient level of legitimacy engaging a contract manager, corruption risks, strengthening the influence of regional authorities, conflict risks, and a lack of clear criteria for selecting a candidate for the post of head of administration.

Authors come to the conclusion that the conditional separation of powers between the hired manager and the head of administration for «economic» and «representative» creates preconditions for political struggle conflicts. This separation of powers hinders the development of a partnership between the head of administration and the city manager. The authors believe that improving the procedure for the competitive selection of the city manager, fixing the hiring situation, and securing the subordination of the city manager to the head of the municipality can solve this problem. The study argues that the introduction of a new way of electing the Head of a municipal formation cannot be a viable alternative to the «city manager» model.