Articles

Institutional conditions play a critical role in the successful integration of ESG principles into regional governance systems. However, the Russian context has lacked methodological tools to comprehensively assess the readiness of regions to adopt and implement sustainability-oriented management approaches. This article introduces an original methodology for calculating the Institutional Readiness Index for Sustainability (IRIS), designed to provide a quantitative assessment of regional capacities for ESG institutionalization.

The index is structured around three components — Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) — each comprising three indicators. Evaluation is based on expert analysis of strategic documents, regulatory frameworks, and organizational infrastructure across the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Each indicator is scored on a three-point scale, and the aggregated index is calculated using weighted components (0.33 for E and S; 0.34 for G). The maximum index value is 6.00 points.

Based on the scaled values, a typology of regional institutional readiness levels was developed: high (IRIS ≥ 4.00), medium (3.00 ≤ IRIS < 4.00), and low (IRIS < 3.00). This typology was subsequently applied to the regions of the Central Federal District to verify the model’s robustness. The results confirmed substantial institutional asymmetries and demonstrated the analytical sensitivity of the IRIS index. Tailored policy recommendations were proposed for each typological group to address identified institutional deficits.

The findings highlight the practical applicability of the IRIS index as a tool for strategic planning, comparative assessment, and institutional monitoring. Future research may include expanding the geographical scope of the analysis, comparing IRIS with alternative sustainability indices, and developing composite models of regional ESG maturity.

Based on the institutional approach, the article proposes an interpretation of the concept of ’investment environment’ - complex system that provides the accumulation and redistribution of human, material and financial resources and includes a set of investment objects and subjects, the financial (investment) market, investment entities, legal norms and public institutions that ensure self-regulation and regulation of the investment environment, as well as socio-cultural traditions and customs of business turnover inherent in such an environment.

Based on this approach, the article examines the content and implementation of the Russian Government's "Strategy for Improving Financial Literacy and Financial Culture until 2030", considering the fragmentation of the Russian financial market due to socio-economic differentiation, institutional features, as well as the level of human capital and human development in the regions. Arguments are given in favor of the priority of a regional approach in the implementation of the national goals of the specified "Strategy", in view of the property opportunities, needs and socio-cultural specifics of citizens. Conclusions are drawn about the need to analyze and comprehend regional peculiarities, to foster a systematic approach and consistency in the implementation of financial literacy, and to adopt measures to support local financial entities.

The study of youth associations of the late Soviet and early post-Soviet periods is relevant, because it was then their system based on the dominance of state youth organizations led by the Komsomol, was transformed into a new one, where the role and influence of informal associations were  increasing. Th e informal ones were more responding to the real needs of youth. The purpose of this article is to analyze, systematize and periodize the works of Russian scientists devoted to youth organizations of the 1980s and 1990s in Russia, followed by a description of the identified stages of historiography. To achieve the purpose of the research, the following methods are used: historical and chronological, which allows for the author’s periodization of literature, historical and comparative, aimed at comparing the assessments of organizations by scientists, and historical and systematic, necessary for the generalization of the studied material. In the course of the study was noted a combination of historical and sociological methods in the works of scientists. The author points out terminological discrepancies in the analyzed literature and there is no single criterion for attribution to youth. Th e author identifies four stages of historiography: the late Soviet “pre-perestroika” period (1980–1985), the historiography of the “perestroika” period (1985–1991), the early post-Soviet period (1992–1998), and the modern period (1998-present). Th ese periods differ in the degree of politicization and the thematic vector of research. The author draws conclusions about the prerequisites for the creation and specifics of scientific papers within each period.

The article reveals the evolution of planning activities in the Soviet Union during the years of Soviet power and in Russia during the transition to market relations. The study used a historical approach, methods of induction and deduction, content analysis, and expert assessments. The distinctive features of the first, second, and third pre-war five-year plans, and the specific features of the mobilization economy during the Great Patriotic War are summarized. The main tasks of the fourth, fifth, sixth post-war five-year plans and the seven-year plan of 1959-1965, as well as the achievements and difficulties of this period of socialist construction, are highlighted. The reasons for abandoning the directive nature of planning and switching to indicative planning in the 1980s, as well as for developing plans for economic and social development of the USSR in the early 1990s are analyzed. The timeliness of the transition from command-administrative to market forms of management is substantiated. The results of application of methods and instruments of directive and indicative planning, mechanisms of administrative-economic and economic regulation at various stages of functioning of the national economy of the country are illustrated. The factors of transformation of the Russian economy in the post-Soviet period are shown. The need for activation of activities on strategic management and planning in the post-Soviet economic space is revealed. The advantages of development of strategic documents at the subnational level are established. Recommendations on dissemination of methodological bases and practice of strategizing in territorial and sectoral sections are formulated.

The 1993 election was the first time that money became a significant factor in an election campaign. Today, issues related to the transparency of financing, political corruption, and uneven access to resources remain relevant. Although the "constituent elections" have received attention fr om researchers, issues surrounding public and private funding for political campaigns have not been adequately addressed. This article aims to identify flaws in the current electoral system regarding financial regulations, as well as answer the question of how money contributes to the success of certain political organizations. Understanding these factors can help us better understand the imbalances in the Russian party system. To conduct this research, we will use methods from historical, political, and legal disciplines, as well as basic mathematical operations. In a difficult socio-economic situation, the government, which had declared a policy of holding multiparty elections, faced challenges in subsidizing these organizations. As a result, these organizations had to find sponsors independently. The election campaign was held in a context wh ere government agencies were shown to be lenient towards violations, including financial ones related to the election process. Further legislation aimed to address these shortcomings and strengthen oversight over election funds. However, abuse during the 1996 presidential election undermined these efforts. Overall, the 1993 election experience showed that while money is an important factor in elections, it is not the only one. Financial resources can serve as an effective tool to promote promising organizations with an authentic electoral profile.

This paper investigates the pivotal role of integrated territorial development (ITD) in ensuring regional economic security. The study’s relevance stems from the need to reassess traditional approaches to territorial development in the face of contemporary challenges. The methodology is based on a systems-based, institutional, and spatial approach, employing both general scientific and specialized methods. The primary focus is on analyzing the interrelationship between the social and environmental aspects of ITD and their impact on the sustainability of regional economic systems. The research identifies new opportunities associated with digitalization, the “green” economy, and human capital development. Implementation mechanisms for ITD are examined, including financial instruments and institutional frameworks. The conclusion emphasizes the critical role of the state in ensuring economic security through ITD and the necessity of integrating the efforts of business and society.

Introduction. The sustainable development of the region in conditions of turbulence requires the development of adaptive mechanisms and appropriate tools to ensure it. The prospects for the implementation of the principles of sustainable development in Russia cannot be considered separately from the ongoing market reforms in the state. The transition to sustainable development of both the country as a whole and its individual regions should occur in close connection with a radical structural and technical and technological restructuring of social production based on accelerating the pace of scientific and technological progress, in particular, towards comprehensive greening not only of the basic sectors of the economy, but also of all spheres of human activity. The urgency of modernizing regional socio-economic and ecological systems is due to the formation of special conditions for economic growth in the regions, taking into account the processes of economic integration and the dominance of the theoretical foundations of the concept of sustainable development in most countries and regions of the world, and Russia is no exception. Research methods. The methodological basis of this work is the integrated use of a set of general scientific and special research methods. In particular, a systematic approach has made it possible to develop a theoretical model of regional development and the boundaries of the state's regulatory influence on it. The study of the problem of state regulation of regional development has become possible through the use of a number of other scientific methods, among which the retrospective method is widely used, in which the subject of research is analyzed in its sequential development, in the context of a specific historical situation and the factors influencing it at each stage. This trend has made it possible to identify the relationship between the past, present and future: the mechanisms and tools of state influence on regions that were used in the past have not lost their relevance and can be applied in modern conditions. Result. The study of the implementation of sustainable development policy in the regions of the Russian Federation under conditions of turbulence has been further developed, and the directions of transformation of economic relations against the background of regionalization processes in the socio-political sphere, economy and institutional environment of the regional space have been identified, which determines the appearance of certain effects that are important from the perspective of ensuring the sustainable development of the regions of the state. Conclusion. As a result of the analysis, ways are proposed to improve the organizational and economic factors of managing the sustainable development of regions in conditions of turbulence by: increasing the adaptability of regional potential based on innovative technologies, optimizing and ensuring flexibility of economic, organizational and administrative levers of influence on investment and innovation processes, and diversifying them through the introduction of "soft" adaptive ones.

In the context of increasing global and domestic competition for resources, territorial branding is becoming one of the key tools that helps attract resources for urban development. The relevance of the study is due to the accumulation of successful practices in the application of territorial branding of Russian cities, which require their generalization and theoretical understanding. The purpose of the study is to characterize the currently established theory of geobranding and the Russian practice of its application. The work uses the methods of scientometric and bibliographic analysis of publications, secondary statistical analysis. The main results of the study confirm the growing interest in territorial branding, which is reflected in the annual increase in the number of city brands in Russia, as well as the preservation of scientific publication activity on this topic for the period 2014-2024. The scientific novelty of the study lies in conducting a comprehensive bibliographic and scientometric analysis of Russian scientific publications on urban branding for the period 2014–2024 with ranking of cities – administrative capitals of Russia by their mentions in scientific publications on the topic of city branding, followed by a description of the context of research of the 10 most mentioned cities. The conclusions from the article can be used by local governments, business representatives in developing strategies for positioning and promoting city brands, as well as by the scientific community for future research on the topic of territorial branding. Further research involves bibliographic and scientometric analysis of foreign scientific literature on promising areas of studying urban branding practices, assessing their effectiveness and analyzing the impact on urban development in the long term.

Modern industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a key role. Automation of production processes, resource management, and predictive analytics based on AI contribute to increased efficiency and cost reduction for enterprises. However, the widespread adoption of intelligent technologies brings legal challenges that require effective state regulation. This article examines the key aspects of public-law regulation of AI in industry, including issues of cybersecurity, algorithm certification, liability for errors of autonomous systems, and international experience in this field. Special attention is given to the need to establish transparent mechanisms for control and oversight, as well as to develop a national AI regulation strategy that takes into account competitive challenges and national interests. The conclusions of the article emphasize the need for a balanced approach that combines support for technological innovations with effective legal regulation measures.

The second part of the article examines a number of methodological issues related to understanding the state. Among them are: the authors’ non-critical attitude to dogmatic ideas about the state, inconsistencies between the definition of the state and the presentation of its characteristics (features, elements). Particular attention is paid to state sovereignty as a quality that, on the one hand, is used to be unjustifiably associated by theorists with any doctrinal understanding of the state and with any historical eras, and on the other hand, actually belongs today to certain political entities that are not regarded as states formally.