摘要
The main topic of the research is applying of systems approach in studying of political elite. This approach was applied in the analysis of Russia＇s regional power elite （1991 to 2010）. The elite was studied as a complex self-reference system oriented at its own environment, not only in an adaptive way, but first and foremost in structure. The systems approach specifies the following conceptual framework of the study： self-reference, system boundaries, and interaction between the political elite and the surrounding world. Application of the systems analysis to studying the political elite enabled to analyze the structure and functions of the elite, create a model of elitogenesis, and receive study matrix.
