For example, a return to the appointment of regional governors would be a significant step backwards. Russia's constitution is not devoid of institutional checks and balances. Every effort should be made to strengthen these structures to allow them to work more effectively. In addition, it is critical to step up democracy assistance to build an infrastructure of civic organizations and new linkages between citizens' organizations and political parties. Civic groups organized around common interests such as environmental issues, women's issues, education, neighborhood safety, and youth groups play a critical role in democratic politics.
Civic associations can play a number of roles in the electoral arena.
NGOs have been extraordinarily active in the area of party-building and have met with some success. As a next step toward building party organizations, NGOs should move to foster partisan activity on the local and regional level. This would have the dual benefit of building regional party organizations and also creating an opportunity to build links between these party organizations and local civic groups. At the same time, this strategy would refocus attention away from individual politicians and toward creating organizational infrastructure.