Features of parliamentary paradiplomacy: a case-study of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg

Abstract

The aim of the article is to identify the features of international activities of sub-state parliaments in the case of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg. The research is based on qualitative methodology applying institutional and neo-institutional approaches to the study of political institutions. As a result of the research, the author proposes an institutional design (theoretical model) of parliamentary paradiplomacy of St. Petersburg in the context of paradiplomacy, soft power, public diplomacy and humanitarian cooperation. On the one hand, the capabilities of regional legislation allow the St. Petersburg Parliament to exercise its potential in the sphere of international relations through specific agreements and informal arrangements, hosting delegations, participation in cross-border trips and inter-parliamentary institutions, which provides grounds to classify the Legislative Assembly as one of the most active actors of paradiplomatic activity in St. Petersburg. On the other hand, the specifics of the federal system of Russia and the delimitation of powers of public authorities in St. Petersburg limit the role and clout of the Legislative Assembly in international relations. The case of St. Petersburg shows that parliamentary paradiplomacy is more complementary and is implemented in accordance with the directions of Russia’s foreign policy and federal legislation. The Parliament of St. Petersburg acts mainly in tandem with the executive power of St. Petersburg and the federal authorities of Russia, playing the role of supportive leverage.