Politics and Society - rubric Transformation in political processes

Abstract: The subject of this paper’s research is the peculiarities of legal regulation and development of the e-commerce market during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author examines in detail the concept of "e-commerce," which is understood as an economic sphere that combines trade and financial transactions that are carried out through contactless interaction of the parties involved. The article also analyzes the system of legal regulation of the e-commerce market and identifies trends for further improvement. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the pandemic on civil law turnover, resulting in the e-commerce market becoming the dominant commodity exchange in the Russian Federation. The study provides statistics on commodity exchange on online platforms for 2021–2022, which has grown significantly compared to previous years. The author’s main conclusions are that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the processes of digitalization in all spheres of public life, as a result of which trade and financial transactions, for the most part, began to be carried out via the Internet and laid the foundation of the digital economy; to date, electronic commerce has become predominant, but is not devoid of shortcomings of legal regulation; trends of strengthening digital transformation are aimed at delineating the legal status and responsibility of participants in trade ("marketplace," "online store," etc.), expanding the list of types of digital assets and determining their legal regime (account, etc.).

Keywords: marketplace, aggregator owner, digital rights, civil relations, digital transformation, e-commerce, COVID-19, civil law turnover, digital economy, digital assets

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2013.6.8850

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2022.2.37327

Abstract: Leading Russian and foreign scientists have repeatedly noted a decrease in public confidence in the government and most political institutions. The loss of citizens' trust in the government has also affected Russia. The purpose of the presented research is to study the phenomenon of political trust in the aspect of value orientations and ethnic identity among modern Russian youth. The study conducted diagnostics of the younger generation of Russians living in different regions of the Russian Federation, aged 18 to 34 years. The study sample included representatives of the cities of the Russian Federation: Perm, Yekaterinburg, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and rural areas. The following methods were used in the empirical study: the scale of political trust, the methodology of J. Finney, measuring the severity of ethnic identity and Schwartz's methodology for determining the value structure. The level of trust in the authorities is at a fairly low level, which indicates a tendency to social cynicism rather than political trust. The ethnicity of modern youth is also at a fairly low level. The results of the regression analysis demonstrated that ethnic identity has an impact on the overall level of trust in the authorities. Values such as "Reputation", "Universalism: tolerance" and "Benevolence: a sense of duty" have the strongest influence on trust in the authorities. The value of material goods negatively affects the formation of trust in the authorities. The scientific significance lies in the fact that for the first time the problem of the formation of political trust in the aspect of personal values and ethnic identity was studied.The practical significance lies in the fact that the results of this study can serve as a basis for the development of recommendations in the field of building political trust among Russian youth.

Keywords: trust in the president, trust in the government, ethnic identity, trust in the court, trust in the army, russian youth, young people, political cynicism, political trust, values

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.8.23023

Abstract: The subject of this research is the impact of providing public services in electronic form upon the efficiency of political and administrative management. The results of the study consist in the following: identification of factors that contribute to improving the quality of public services when provided in electronic form; establishment of the key features of providing f electronic public services in Russia and the United Kingdom; detection of the risks and problems associated with providing electronic public services to population; determination of importance of provision of electronic public services in the system of interaction between government and society. The methodology of the study applies a neo-institutional approach that allows identifying the impact of electronic public services upon the efficiency of public institutions, as well as comparative analysis used in consideration of peculiarities in providing electronic public services in Russia and the United Kingdom. The main conclusion of the study consists in the fact that the provision of public services in electronic form contributes to the rise in efficiency of the political and administrative management by creating an atmosphere of trust in the government that is capable of ensuring quality public services, accessible to all categories of the citizens, as well as oriented towards meeting their needs. The results of the research can be used in formulation of the conceptual documents in the field of development of e-government and the establishment of the information society in Russia.

Keywords: public services, efficiency of political management, political and administrative management, e-services, e-government, public administration, e-technologies, information society, information technologies, Russia

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.7.20831

Abstract: The object of this article is the motivation of electoral behavior of the Russian voters, while the subject is the motivation of absentee electoral behavior. The influential factors in terms of the subject of research are the following: level of trust to the political institutions and procedures; impact of institutional changes in the electoral process; abilities to affect the situation in the country through the democratic procedures (elections); influence of the Russian political culture; trends of destruction and archaization of the political consciousness of Russian society (hypothesis). The main method of this work consists in the secondary analysis of data of Russian Public Opinion Research Center (WCIOM), Levada Center, Research Holding Romir, results of the 2015 online polls of Penza Regions, etc. Among the main conclusions are the following: fixation of the cumulative negative trends of absenteeism on the background of the growing alienation of society and authorities, actualization of irrational models of electoral behavior, indifferent attitude to political process and democratic procedures in mass consciousness, trends towards archaization of political consciousness and lack of assurance in the conceptual value of democracy, absence of orientation of a Russian voter towards the new information and communication technologies that develop the active forms for expanding the civil participation in administration, as well as control mechanisms over the government institutions.

Keywords: politics, Russian elections, government and society, voting, electoral absenteeism, electoral behavior, electoral process, political process, protest vote, political culture

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2022.1.35400

Abstract: The article is devoted to the actual problem of modern society — positive discrimination. The introduction of preferential treatment is accompanied by intense controversy, the main disputes are centered around the issues of meeting such a policy with certain criteria of fairness and possible distortion of the incentives that it creates for beneficiaries. The author, based on a comprehensive analysis of doctrinal views and the experience of some countries, identifies common trends and differences in scientific views regarding the use of positive measures, offers his definition. It is worth noting that the lack of a unified opinion of specialists, the unformed practice of implementing the policy of positive discrimination actualize the chosen topic as the subject of research. As a result, the author comes to the conclusion that due to the fundamental nature of the real and potential problems of affirmative action, they appear in the center of state policy as a means of economic growth/efficiency or as a way to achieve equality and social justice. Positive discrimination is aimed at compensating for the consequences of difficult socio-economic conditions that have affected certain groups of the population. There is a risk of stigmatization as a real and destructive phenomenon, the elimination of which will only harm minorities without eradicating racist beliefs. Therefore, the author believes that the effectiveness of affirmative action should be aimed not only at redistributing the positions of groups and providing preferential benefits (preferences), but also at structural changes in modern society, perpetuating the marginalization of certain classes.

Keywords: the rule of law, discrimination, positive discrimination, positive actions, reverse discrimination, preferential treatment, politics, state policy, right, civil society

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2018.6.26591

Abstract: The object of this research is the radical right-wing populist parties of the Federal Republic of Germany, while the subject is the evolution of corresponding powers. The author sets a goal to determine the novelty of the phenomenon of “Alternative for Germany” for the German political landscape, as well as formulate the forecast of the existence and development of the party based on the available data. Particular attention is given to the concepts “radical right-wing” and “populist”, trends of their interpretation in the academic environment, and their applicability in characterizing the “Alternative for Germany”. It has been established that the slogans “Alternative for Germany” in multiple ways are concordant with the programs of its predecessors, as the party also receives the electoral support due to the alignment of the “grand coalition” parties. However, an average elector of the party has the untypical for the radical right-wing party socioeconomic characteristics and resembles an elector from the moderate parties. It is assumed that the populist component for the “Alternative for Germany” is significantly more important than the radical right-wing orientation. A conclusion is made that the party will continue existing in the next electoral cycles, but lose its current protest potential.

Keywords: far-right parties, PEGIDA, NPD, Germany, FRG, populism, Alternative for Germany, Schill party, opposition parties, Ernesto Laclau

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.7.22734

Abstract: The subject of this article is the peculiarities of political process in the Arab republics of Near and Middle East. The article conducts an analysis of the process of reformation of the political systems in a number of Arab states with the republican form of government, as well as reviews the key directions in improving the governing models in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq. The specificity of the subject required the use of a set of general scientific and special methods. The methodology of this work applies a complex of scientific methods, including analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparative analysis, as well as institutional approach that demonstrates that the examined political processes are tightly connected with the political and social institutions. The scientific novelty lies in establishment of the role and place of the developing civil society as a full-fledged institution of political life in the Arab republics. The article determines the specificity of the impact of foreign policy factors upon the political modernization processes in Arab states of the Near East. Particular attention is paid to the fact that due to the unwillingness of political elites, practically in all of the Arab state to release from control the main political powers, the most effective reforms take place in economic and social spheres, however, without the quality changes in political regimes.

Keywords: Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Arab republics, political modernization, power, state, Egypt, Iraq, civil society

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.3.21142

Abstract: This article examines the deformations of the modern sociopolitical space alongside the entire sphere of the political, which result in the phenomenon of political “chimeras” and “phantoms”. The definition of the sociopolitical “chimer” and their possible classification is provided. The authors demonstrate that establishment of the new historical or local status of the political and crisis changes in politics and society takes place mainly under the influence of political “phantoms” and “chimeras”, which form the unpredictable meanings and connotations within the traditional interpretations of the sociopolitical and ideological space. It is described that the value and danger of the political “chimeras” consists in the fact that the fantasy and reality are inseparably intertwined within them, and the created by such “chimeras” philosophical-political sense of the imaginative formats of society is multilayer. The authors note that the social role of political “chimeras” is not always unambiguously negative; they can be applied in various political technologies, as well as able to create and consolidate diverse political and social traditions. As the empirical material, the article used the information field of the Internet. The authors review such phenomenon of the present time as trolling, or a specific type of dialogue that has emerged within subcultures of the social networks, and currently becomes de facto an ordinary language of political communications. The conclusion is made that modern society needs to learn to create a defense mechanism from the sociopolitical “chimeras”, which is able to prevent the extensive disturbances of today, and simultaneously, begin the process of formation of the tools for positive application of abilities of the sociopolitical “chimeras” to comprehensively affect the everyday life and consciousness of all social groups and layers.

Keywords: information-psychological confrontation, national security, space of the political, trolling, social traditions, political chimera, philosophy of the political, sociopolitical space, political institutions, Internet

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2017.3.22234

Abstract: The subject of this research is the political-administrative interaction between business and the state in Russia at present stage. Difficult economic conditions and frequent changes in the legislation induce business to interact with state bodies for protection of their interests. Since 2000’s, the Government Relations were used as a mechanism for maintaining the dialogue with the state. However, today the institution of GR evolves into the new system of relations between the state and business – corporate citizenship. The author thoroughly analyzes such aspects of the topic as the peculiarities and characteristics of the phenomenon of corporate citizenship, its role in the dialogue between business and the government. Special attention is paid to the analysis of a question of correlation between the corporate citizenship and government relations in the context of business’ social activities. The specificity of corporate citizenship and it characteristics as a form of relationship between business and the state is viewed from the perspective of approach that includes the managerial science (stakeholders theory and the enlightened egoism) alongside the concepts of political science (Stokes' models of citizenship). The scientific novelty lies in consideration of the peculiarities of corporate citizenship through the prism GR management. As a result of the analysis, the author determines the interrelation between corporate citizenship and GR as the complementary phenomena, which ensure the involvement of corporations into the public sphere. Author’s special contribution consists in substantiation of the role of GR-function as a form of implementation of the corporate citizenship due to its status between the corporate and state environments.

Keywords: political process, government, lobbying, political decisions, interaction, business, government relations, corporate citizenship, GR-management, communication

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.2.17961

Abstract: This article reviews the political positioning as one of the most important technologies of the political marketing applied within the political communication. The author examines the new technical opportunities for the political positioning that exposed with the expansion of the Internet, which became the instrument of virtualization of the personal, public, cultural, and economic space of the human life. This work analyzes the current mediatization of politics and defines the role of the political positioning within the network “Internet” in formation and advancement of the political symbolism. The goal of this research is the analysis of implementation of the concept of positioning in politics and its impact upon the establishment of the binary models of democracy. The author concludes that the development of Internet and the associated with it technologies, such as political positioning, is able to replace politics with its computer emulations. The network contributes into the formation and the effective control over the conceptual environment, but simultaneously affects the choice of the line of behavior of the objects of influence.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.2.54513

Keywords: politicheskoe pozitsionirovanie, simvolicheskaya politika, imidzhmeiking, Internet, politicheskii marketing, mediapolitika, politicheskie tekhnologii, politicheskaya kommunikatsiya, mediatizatsiya politiki, demokratiya

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2013.4.54048

Abstract: The article deals with one of the challenging points of U.S. state structure’s establishment. The author analyzes the U.S. government structure and explains the definition of federalism according to the U.S. Constitution of 1787, which gave a symbolic start for the new country. The development of American federalism was largely determined by the dominance of certain political and legal practices. The growth of American federalism, while demonstratinggeneral centralistic tendencies, occurred in an uneven manner - the degree of centralization fluctuated as Federal authorities amassed and released power. The essence of U.S. federalism changed in accordance with legal, political and economic environment.

Keywords: Jurisprudence, federation, U.S. federalism, U.S. Constitution, separation of power, Rechsstaat, federal subjects, federalism, reform, Law

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.5.14971

Abstract: The object of the research is the statehood of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The subject of the research are the peculiarities of the formation of Afghanistan's statehood. The author examines in detail such aspects of the topic as religious and historical determinants of political genesis. The author outlines six logical stages of this formation, connected not only with the shift of power and government, but also with the religious factor, which significantly influences the life of the country. Special attention is paid to the dynamic changes in the political realia of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The research is based on a case study that involves analytical description of a particular situation as a part of the political process. It has been proved that the dynamic changes in the Afghanistan's political realia imply the new logic of interpretation of its political processes, the paradigms of its policy and government. The conclusions of the work can be interesting for the teaching of some disciplines within the courses on political problems and technologies; they can also be useful for understanding of the problems of the political processes in contemporary Afghanistan.

Keywords: disabled state, international relations, evolution, statehood, religious factor, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, democratic experiment, M. Daoud, mujahideen, civil war

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.5.54384

Keywords: disabled state, international relations, evolution, statehood, religious factor, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, democratic experiment, M. Daoud, mujahideen, civil war

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.6.12359

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2014.6.54241

Abstract: The article is devoted to the essence and content of the terms ‘regionalization’ and ‘federalization’, their main differences and peculiarities of their implementation while viewing the process of public authorities decentralization in terms of transformation of the form of political and territorial government in Italy, Spain and other member states of the EU with the diffi cult unitary form of government. Both terms mean a similar direction of reformation of the territorial government and at same time, being based on different forms and methods of the implementation of the reform, they predetermine different goal-setting as well as the fi nal result of activity performed by public authorities to expand powers of regional units. In his research the author has used the dialectic method. When focusing on different constitutional regulation of the institution of political and territorial government in different countries of the world the author has used the comparative method s well as the historical and institutional methods along with the systems analysis method. The author of the research article introduces a whole number of new defi nitions and terms into science, in particular, political interpretation of such an institution at ‘region’ as an intermediate authority between the government and local self-government and its differentiation from the defi nition of ‘region’ as a sub-state unit depending on geographical, economic and other principles. In his research the author mostly uses the researches of foreign scientists such as Derek Gregory, Ron Johnstone, Matteo Legrenzi, Cilja Harders, France Schriver and others.

Keywords: Regionalization, federalization, Spain, Italy, European Union, decentralization, political and territorial government, devolution, regionalism, federalism.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2013.6.54088

Abstract: This work analyzes the challenges which encourage the viewing of administration from a philosophical and methodological standpoint (such challenges include the loss of controllability in the country, excessive adoption of Western methods of administration. The necessity of abandoning social engineering administration schemes, and the lack of an accurate notion by the administrators of their mission and their place in the societal division of labour). The authors point out three ideas which they used during their study of administration: first, they began viewing administration within the scope of a broader whole – on one hand, in the context of globalization, and on the other hand, within the scope of processes and transformations which occur in our country. They tried to implement the principles of culturology and humanitarian (historical) knowledge in the study of administration, analyzing it from the viewpoint of goals of preservation and development of Russian culture. This work outlines a new theoretical understanding of administration, which is viewed as a part of social organism which exists in a different social environment. The analysis of administration implies the emergence of four key factors: 1) methodology and technology of management, 2) communities of administrators interacting with other professional communities in various ways, 3) interaction of business organizations (enterprises, companies, institutions and social structures 4) external social environment. The authors introduce the definition of administration as a mechanism of development, administration within administration, various forms of practice in administration, values and pragmatic approach to administration.

Keywords: administration, conditions, situation, practice, development, transformation, community, environment, efficiency, implementation

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.7.12869

Abstract: The article considers the ecological problems of the member states of the Eurasian Union as a part of global problems, their reasons and negative consequences. The author comments on the existing contradictions between the opportunities of nature at the global scale and excessive needs of mankind existing in the unsustainable development model. At the moment this contradiction is only growing, despite the efforts of the UN and other international and national organisations worldwide to provide the rejection of the consumption ideology and re-orient the mankind to the preservation of the environment (co-evolution of humans and nature). It has been concluded that the problems faced by the international community cannot be solved by only one state, that is why globalisation and transition to a new, safer way of development serves as a necessity to create the future in the modern world. The article demonstrates the relevance of the idea and concept of sustainable development as a safer way of development aimed at the solution of the global problems of mankind. Methodologically the research is based on social and philosophical methods and principles of scientific knowledge. The author applies such general scientific methods as comparison, abstraction, idealisation, modelling, analysis, synthesis, etc. The desired goal is reached based on the assumptions about the mankind as a global interconnected and self-developing system (global evolutionism), as well as the principle of the universal interconnection of developments, the development principle, etc. The analysis and solution of the studied problems are conducted based on the general scientific research approaches. The studied problems are solved based on the assumptions and conclusions in the corresponding field mentioned in the works of modern Russian and foreign authors, researches and philosophers. Moreover, the author also uses the data of some sociological and statistical researches, parts of legislative acts, as well as the speeches of the public officials of the states of the planned Eurasian Union. The author considers the beginning Eurasian integration through the lens of sustainable development, when the common efforts of the Eurasian countries will solve both global and regional and local problems (in particular, Russia's prospects to improve the Eurasian ecological environment are considered). The article analyses the ecological function of the state and the opportunities for ecological monitoring. The author suggests and justifies the option of transition to the sustainable development (for Russia) from the perspective of the ecological component of sustainable development. The article reveals the opportunities for sustainable development in the context of solving ecological problems and prospects of a more systematic interpretation of the sustainable development concept.

Keywords: sustainable development, functions of state, ecology, state, globalisation, global problems, global evolutionism, Eurasian integration , Eurasian Union, global processes

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.7.54407

Keywords: sustainable development, functions of state, ecology, state, globalisation, global problems, global evolutionism, Eurasian integration, Eurasian Union, global processes

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.7.18221

Abstract: This article presents the results of analysis of the modern scientific policy of Poland, which is one of the key instruments of the development strategy implementation on the innovational basis. Poland’s experience attracts Russian scholars not just because of the presence of similar features in the national systems of organization of science, but also because the contours of the Russian scientific reform in many ways resemble the Polish model, started in 2010. Special attention is given to the examination of the mechanism of development and realization of Poland’s scientific policy, as well to the assessment of the interval results of the Polish radical scientific reform (2010-2015). The authors make a conclusion that the radical scientific reform in Poland did not lead to significant changes in indexes of the innovational development of the country, which remain some of the lowest in the EU, and the possibility of meeting the planned by 2020 volumes of scientific budget (1.7% from GDP) is justifiably questionable. Despite the active absorption of general European recommendations, Poland’s scientific policy in fact develops by trial and error. The scientific reform has not yet become an organic part of the complex development policy; and a successful utilization of financial support from the EU funds did not produce synergetic effects, which contribute into the establishment of a sustainable scientific-innovation ecosystem.

Keywords: Scientific policy, Social progress, Development strategy, Innovations, Innovation economics, Research and development, Research infrastructure, Science, European Union, Poland

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.7.54583

Keywords: Scientific policy, Social progress, Development strategy, Innovations, Innovation economics, Research and development, Research infrastructure, Science, European Union, Poland

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.7.19677

Abstract: The object of this research is activation of the Asia-Pacific political vector of Russia. Within the framework of this topic the author notes that the crisis irrupted in the system of international relations, caused by a so-called “Ukrainian crisis”, encouraged the accelerated development of the Russian Far East for the purpose of its integration into the Pacific Rim. Special attention is given to the investment opportunities of the Far East in the context of collaboration with the countries of Asia-Pacific region. The author carefully examines the economic, political, and social factors that define the current development of the Far Eastern Federal District. The article presents a complex analysis of the factors affecting the characteristics of Russia’s integration into the Asia-Pacific region. The author underlines the institutional and economic potential of Primorsky Krai as a prerequisite for the establishment of transboundary zone in the south of the Russian Far East, which in the future should result in the increase in business contacts in the Far Eastern region.

Keywords: Economic development, Transboundary region, Transboundary cooperation, Foreign policy, Regional policy, Federal policy, Investments, Primorsky Krai, Far East, Pacific Rim

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2016.7.54584

Keywords: Economic development, Transboundary region, Transboundary cooperation, Foreign policy, Regional policy, Federal policy, Investments, Primorsky Krai, Far East, Pacific Rim

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.8.16087

Abstract: In the present article the author considers the influence of the state educational policy on the sociocultural life of modern Russia and justifies the interconnection between the successful reforms in the area of education and appearance of efficient businessmen in the country due to the preparation in a university that actively participates in the political modernisation of the country. The subject of the study are the peculiarities of the influence of state educational policy on the concept of political modernisation in Russia. The object of the study is the political modernisation and state educational policy. The aim of the study is to reveal the peculiarities of the influence of the education on the concept of political modernisation in Russia. The author examines the differences between the terms "policy in the field of education" and "educational policy". Special attention is paid to the justification of interconnection between the successful reforms in the area of education and appearance of efficient businessmen in the country due to the preparation in a university that actively participates in the political modernisation of the country. The institutional method defines the mechanism of of the influence of the educational sphere on the political modernisation in Russia, the main goal of which is to turn this sphere into a tool of social partnership stimulating the distribution of transformations in other social fields. The novelty of the article lies in the fact that it shows major difficulties in the exercising of the new Law on education by the regions when it comes to combining classical school with the Bologna principles. The main conclusion is the suggestion that the innovations in education form a national modernising coalition through a compromise between the state, scientists, business and society.

Keywords: world environment, innovative development, mixed-up education, innovations, educational reform, social policy, political modernisation, globalisation, Russian educational system, social sphere

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.8.54422

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.8.16137

Abstract: The article deals with the main stages of the evolution of the system and structure of executive authorities of Russia, causes and conditions of transformations, legal and regulatory framework of administrative reforms, which allows to formulate the trends of changes within the executive branch. The article covers the time period from XVI to XX century - the history of the Russian state, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union - and traces the path of transformations of various basic types of central executive bodies: prikazes, collegia, ministries and commissariats and other executive bodies (departments, committees, etc.). The study uses legal, structural, functional and historical methods that ensure a comprehensive study of the evolution of the system of executive power. The article makes a special emphasis on the fact that each successive stage in the executive authorities evolution was aimed at finding the optimal configuration and combination of the functions of public administration within individual ministry, but each new system and structure of executive bodies, having harmony in the initial stage of the administrative reforms, dramatically increased under pressure of objective conditions of public administration, became more cumbersome, less efficient and often self-contradictory, thus creating conditions for the next stage of state reforms.

Keywords: executive authority, administrative reform, collegia, prikaz, service, public administration, ministry, government, commissariat, Council of Ministers

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.8.54423

Keywords: executive authority, administrative reform, collegia, prikaz, service, public administration, ministry, government, commissariat, Council of Ministers

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.10.16455

Abstract: The object of the research are non-financial development institutions, namely various kinds of special economic zones — free economic zones, special economic zones, territories of priority development and free ports. The subject of the research are the non-financial development institutions in the context of relations between the federal centre and periphery defined by the trends of state policy. The field of the research is territorially limited to the Primorsky Region, the period of the study including origins of prerequisites and conditions for the development of modern special economic zones is from the end of 19th — beginning of 20th century until September 2015. The authors apply general methodological system approach, considering the region as a subsystem with its structural connections that to a certain degree replicates the structure of the system. Moreover, the development institutions are considered in their historical sequence with the help of historically-comparative institutional analysis. Among the empirical methods the analysis of documents, secondary analysis of statistical data and expert evaluation were used. The study analyses the reasons of inefficiency of the previous regional development institutions and highlights the risks for the territories of priority development and the free port in Primorsky Region. The main conclusion is that the provision of tax and customs privileges to the investors alone does not mean consequent priority development of the territory. The scientific contribution of the authors to the study of the topic lies in the fact that the issue of territories of priority development and the free port is considered comprehensively in the context of evolution, taking into account the changes in the trends of state policy and the degree to which the federal centre patronises the periphery.

Keywords: Free Port, Special Economic Zone, territories of priority development, Far East, Primorsky Region, Development Institutions, Governmental Patronage, Center-Periphery, Free Customs Zone, Asia-Pacific Region

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.10.54456

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.11.16578

Abstract: The subject of this research is the political process in Ukraine during the period of 1991-2014 in the context of democratic transformation. A special attention is given to the analysis of the nuances of the establishment of new social and economic relations in the country, notably to the formation and strengthening of the influence of the elite groups. It was necessary to follow the prerequisites of how the financial and industrial groups started to transform into the category of political actors and achieve dominant position in the Ukrainian political life. One of the main goals of this work was to find out by what method the various socio-economic factors determined the development of the political system of Ukraine from the perspective of strengthening or weakening of the democratic institutions. The author reviews the level of dependency of the electoral preferences of the population from the influence of the socio-economic factors in the countries with developed democracy and the countries that within the process of democratic transit. The processes of economic development that affected the establishment of the modern social structure of the population of Ukraine are being examined. The author also reviews the peculiarities of the formation of the private sector of the Ukrainian economy and gives characteristic to the lobbyism by business elites, aimed at the development of certain political preferences among the voters.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.11.54473

Keywords: Leonid Kuchma’s policy, Privatization in Ukraine, Political elite of Ukraine, Democratic transformation, Formation of political elites, Socio-economic processes, Political system of Ukraine, Political process in Ukraine, Voter’s electoral preferences, Post-soviet transformation

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.12.17220

Abstract: The subject of this research is the phenomenon of modernization and its role in the current political processes. The goal of the article is the substantiation of the possibilities of implementing sociocultural mechanisms aimed at elimination of uncertainty of the transitional period in the post-Soviet societies. The author gives a detailed analysis to the adaptive-pursuant strategy of modernization, which simultaneously requires socialization of the society and establishment of the highly-qualified government structure. Individuals unprepared for changes cannot establish a modern state, and the unprofessional politicians cannot manage sophisticated dynamic processes. This work is based on the specifically devised and scientifically proven sociocultural concept, highlighting precise stages and phases of its realization. A special attention is given to the detection of factors that impede development of the society and formation of the sociocultural model of government. Focus is made on the problem of underestimation of the leading role of science, intellectual capital, and scientific foundation of state policy, without which the institutionalization of the processes is unattainable. An important role played theories of social mobility and social cooperation, as well as four principal standards of the “functional imperatives”: adaptation, targeted orientation, integration, and the theory of Talcott Parsons. Social changes serve as the social reformation of the post-Soviet societies. The author’s contribution into this topic is that the following questions are raised: 1) do the changes carry goal-oriented or spontaneous character (i.e. what is their nature); 2) what are the conditions for changes (basis and resources); 3) what needs to be changed, in what way, and by what means, etc.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0684.2015.12.54486