Abstract: The subject of this study is the methodology of studying the interaction between the regional state authorities. The goal of the study is to analyze the existing methodological approach to studying the constitutional design of power distribution (the separation of powers) between the prominent actors of the political process (executive and representative branch authorities), and to demonstrate that this approach may become the first step to understanding the nature of conflict between the heads of the region and regional parliaments. The methodological approach employed by the author involves the analysis of the region's legal acts which regulate the powers of region heads and parliaments. The use of comparative studies reveals that the existing methodology is mostly employed by Western researchers (USA, France) to study the separation of powers models between the Federal authorities, while Russian researchers use its modified version to study the interaction between regional authorities. The central conclusion of this study is that the institution-based methodology of the power distribution models in Russian federal regions allows to understand the causes for conflict between regional heads and parliaments. Undoubtedly, the legal analysis of powers is but the first step on the way of understanding such political conflicts, because, along with the formal causes, there may be other, informal causes which require other methods of study. Overall, however, the constitutional design of separation of powers between the state authorities represents a crucial empirical field, a starting point for defining the political regime and identifying the success factors for democracy and scanning for distinct contradictions between state authorities.

Keywords: executive authority, checks and balances, the powers of the authorities, political conflict, branches of power, political regime, legislature, democracy, power, institutionalism