Kuchuran A. Investigation of local political power by urban regime theory

The thesis presents a comprehensive study of urban regime theory as a tool for the analysis of local political power. They examine the overall development of theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of community power. Determined three stages of research: Sociological (early studies), the classic, which is divided into four subsequent periods (discussion period, period of criticism pluralism, comparative period, neo-marxist period) and modern (development of the urban regime theory and growth machine). Urban regime theory became the basis for analysis of power structure in local communities such as, towns, cities, but only up to the level of the regions. The theory understands power as fragmented between public and private actors. It's analyzed the opportunities of implying urban regime theory to different socio-political contexts. It is noted that an important indicator for power structure research in city of transition countries is the "threshold of independence" that indicates the territory autonomy in relation to political actors of the highest order.