Abstract: The method of retrospective political reconstruction allowed the author to find out the causes of social and political crisis and the military coup that changed the political regime of Burkina Faso in October-November 2014. Emphasis is placed on clarifying the role of the French secret services, which in 1987 organized a coup in the country; the killing of legitimate President Thomas Sankara and brought Captain Blaise Compaore to power. It is considered the socio-political and economic causes of instability regime, which was also engineered by this odious politician, with the support of the Elysee Palace. The author evaluates the concept of changing the country's constitution and extending presidential the powers to a fiveyear term as a conflict factor that may provoke civil disobedience. He also investigates the reasons for undercover sets "Françafrique" to evacuate the toppled B. Compaoré in Côte d'Ivoire on October 31, 2014. The author analyzes the response of the international community and influential international structures to the military coup and the subsequent change of the form of government in Burkina Faso. It is concluded that the events of the end of last year marked the beginning of the collapse of the "Françafrique" neo-colonial empire.

Keywords: Blaise Compaore, Burkina Faso, France, "Françafrique", Africa, foreign policy, international relations, neo-colonialism, values, security

Abstract: The article investigates the process of the erosion of Yalta-Potsdam system of international relations of the post-Cold War era. The world community was in accordance with the fact that Washington has played the leading role in all matters relating to international security. Aggressive US foreign policy in the Balkans and the Middle East led to a significant weakening of international institutions and the erosion of the principles of international law. Destructive role of the United States as the sole superpower became more and more apparent over time. The methodological basis of the study constitute a systemic, structural-functional, comparative-historical, comparative political, geopolitical, cultural and civilizational approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, modeling, observation.It is concluded that the Crimean crisis has shown the need for new rules of international coexistence. In Crimea, Russia challenged the existing world order, which is based on US hegemony. And Russia, despite the sanctions deployed against it, did not find itself in diplomatic isolation. If Russia successfully overcomes the political and economic pressure from the US and its allies, and mobilizes and structures the growing global discontent with the American hegemony, then the world would be facing a fundamentally new outlook. The author predicts that the new (Crimean) the system of international relations will follow the principles of the Vienna system.

Keywords: diplomacy, conflicts, Crimea, Russia, forin policy, international relations, state, interests, values, security

Abstract: The dynamics of the processes in world politics and economy poses new challenges to Russia. One of the possible solutions to this problem is the policy of modernization of Russia. Modernization, which is primarily a re-industrialization effort, requires considerable financial resources, and therefore depends on the capacity of the banking system. Without the support of the banking sector the real economy cannot keep up with the demands of our time. In turn, the geopolitical situation in the present moment requires Russian banks to exercise a new approach to global challenges. Methodological basis for this study is a systematic, structural-functional, comparative political economy and comparative approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation. The processes that take place in global politics and economy are directly related to the challenges that Russia currently faces. Therefore, the importance of the course for the modernization of Russia is quite obvious. It is also clear that modernization would not be complete if it does not cover all areas of social life in Russia. Modernization of the domestic economy must play the most fundamental role, and it will be possible if both, the experience of Russia and that of developed countries is studied and applied carefully.

Keywords: politics, society, USA, Russia, international systems, state, democracy, interests, values, security

Abstract: A freshly released IMF’s World Economic Outlook brings (yet again, for the sixth year in a row, and for the third time this year only) no comforting picture to anyone within the G‑7, especially in the US and EU. Will the passionately US-pushed cross-Atlantic Free Trade Area save the day? Or, would that Pact-push drag the things over the edge and mark an end of the unionistic Europe? Is the extended EU conflict with Russia actually a beginning of the Atlantic-Central Europe’s conflict over Russia, an internalization of mega geopolitical and geo-economic dilemma — who accommodates with whom, in and out of the Union? Methodological basis of the research are systemic, structural and functional, and comparative istorichseky kultkrno-civilizational approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, simulation. Finally, does more Ukrainian (and Eastern Europe) calamities pave the road for a new cross-continental grand accommodation, of either austerity-tired France or über-performing Germany with Russia, therefore the end of the EU? For whose sake Eastern Europe has been barred of all important debates such as that of Slavism, identity, secularism and antifascism? Why do we suddenly wonder that all around Germany-led Central Europe, the neo-Nazism gains ground while only Russia insists on antifascism and (pan-)Slavism?

Keywords: international relations, foreign politics, politicheskie konflikty, Byzantium, Europe, Slavism, hitory, nation, interests, security

Abstract: On the basis of the retrospective historical analysis of the previous cycles of modernization in Russia, the author attempts to find the leverage spots for overcoming the barriers which stand in the way of Russia's development in critical periods of history. Judging by the analysis of Russian modernization cycles, our country as a major power has been objectively compelled to accept globalization's challenges, but each time, was subjectively not ready for it. The periods of open-door politics cycled with long periods of self-isolation, which involved reappraisal of values and the search for Russia's own ways of development. All of this led to instability, which threatens catastrophic domestic scenarios. The methodological basis of this research includes the systemic, structural-functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, observation. Nowadays Russia is facing the next stage of reforms along with aggravation of the international situation. At the same time the scale of problems that Russia is facing considerably surpasses its available economic, personnel and demographic resources. It is obvious that Russia must abandon inertial approach to interstate and domestic problems, passive defense that often conceals passivity with the imitation of work of the government, and cautious wait-and-see behavior that leads to delayed reaction to events, instead of their causes. The article offers a problem-solving toolkit and possible scenarios of international development in the context of security of the Russian Federation.

Keywords: interests, democracy, state, political perception, Russia, political values, society, politics, discourse, security

Abstract: The article analyzes the reasons for the consolidation of Russian society in the environment of anti-Russian sanctions by the US and EU, that has predetermined the increase in the confidence of the citizens in the head of state and the legislative and executive power.At the same time, the rating of the leaders responsible for the implementation of anti-Russian sanctions, has shown steady decline, in contrast. The article presents sociological data confirming this trend. The reason for the contrast in the dynamics of citizens' trust in their leaders and the public authorities of their respective countries does not only stem from different positions regarding the defense of national interests, but also the crisis of the actively-enforced Anglo-Saxon model of liberal democracy.The methodological basis of the research is a systemic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation.The most important specifics of the contemporary development of the majority of the world community is the consolidation of position of state-oriented organizations and movements.It is concluded that the role and importance of the reception of traditional values is growing, as well as the role and authority of the state in addressing critical issues of life of Russian society.

Keywords: interests, democracy, color revolutions, hybrid war, state, patriotism, society, politics, values, security

Abstract: The article focuses on clarifying the role of the French secret diplomacy and the French special services, which, since 1958, have made every effort to destroy the foundations of the sovereignty of the Republic of Guinea because it didn't wish to be a part of the French Commonwealth and declared a full national sovereignty. This article examines the social, political and economic factors that allowed a very small and poor African state to effectively oppose the French neo-colonialism. Using the method of historical reconstruction the author finds out the reasons for the destructive policy of France with regard to Guinea in the late 1950's - early 1970-ies. The author analyses the role of the Soviet Union and other socialist countries in providing real sovereignty to Guinea through the rebuilding its economy and financial system. The author concludes that due to the international situation prevailing in the world after the World War II, the "Françafrique" spy network failed to destroy the state security services in Portuguese Guinea as well as to kill the leader of the Guinean nation A.S. Toure. This highlights the role of the Guinean precedent in the collapse of the French colonial empire.

Keywords: Charles de Gaulle, democracy, Portugal, China, the Soviet Union, France, Guinea, Africa, "Françafrique", neo-colonialism

Abstract: The transformation processes that are taking place in Ukraine cause disagreement and unrest among the global community. The problem of the Ukrainian political crisis is a hot topic of discussion today. The subject of this research is the phenomenon of Euromaidan in its essence. Polar views in scientific discourse concerning Ukrainian Maidan in 2013–2014-s often result in heated debates. On the one hand, Euromaidan is described as a "Revolution of Dignity" that won due to the efforts of the masses in the struggle against the dictatorial regime of V. F. Yanukovich; on the other hand – as a political coup. The purpose of this work is to determine what political changes occurred in Ukraine in November-February in 2013–2014.The methodological basis of this study comprises the analytical, dialectical, logical, system, structural-functional, comparative approaches to the problem. After studying the key moments of Euromaidan the author analyzes and interprets the revolutionary events in Ukraine. The study concluded that Euromaidan is essentially a well-organized "revolutionary" coup d'etat that took place with the active participation of the masses, which in fact have been used as an instrument to overthrow the legitimate political power.

Keywords: democracy, political power, opposition, revolution, dignity, Euromaidan, manipulative technologies, political changes, Ukraine

Abstract: This article is focused on the study of modern conflict technologies aimed at mobilizing young people in social networks. Today, social networks are a represent a peculiar environment in which "color revolution" political technologists actively form and consolidate protest electorate, using the potential of virtual communities and the tools for building and altering virtual reality. "Colour revolution" specialists employ conflict mobilization technologies that affect younger people, injecting them with the idea of fighting against authorities, and directing their natural hyperactivity towards mass protest. The methodological basis of this research consists of the systemic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation. This article describes and analyzes a typical application of these technologies that allows for undetected replacement of a neutral, non-political agendas of a social group with an aggressive one, antagonistic towards authority in power. It is shown that the main targets of political strategists of colored revolutions are not a groups of political opposition-aligned individuals, but rather a politically neutral electorate, undecided on their outlook. The author demonstrates the magnitude of the threat that such technologies present, and points out the need for systemic countermeasures against the colour revolution activist recruitment in social networks.

Keywords: society, state, hybrid war, colour revolutions, democracy, USA, international conflicts, politics, values, security

Abstract: The article explores the events of January 7-11, 2015 in France: the terrorist attack on the editorial board of the weekly, “Charlie Hebdo”, the killing of police officers, taking of hostages, as well as the mass manifestations known as the Republican march. The methods of analysis of this "outlier case", i.e. extreme, atypical, deviant situation, examined in this article, reveal hidden social processes and phenomena, as well as offer some explanations as to the reasons of those events. The study is based on a variety of sources such as eyewitness accounts, French mass media, photo- and video materials, official statements, public statistics, and results of mass surveys conducted by various French sociological organizations, as well as qualitative data collected by the author in France in the period from 2004 to 2014.The methodological basis of the study constitute a systemic, structural-functional, comparative-historical, comparative political, geopolitical, cultural and civilizational approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, modeling, observation.This study rejects an opinion widespread in Russian scholarship about the religious and cultural nature of this type of conflict, it also rejects the proposed methods of solving such conflicts by tightening immigration policy and enhancing security measures. The study identifies the "risk zones": city suburbs, public schools, and prisons, which require urgent radical reforms, public attention and investment. The study warns about the real possibility of an escalation of radicalism, intolerance, xenophobia, and sympathy for the ideology of the extreme right groups. The study concludes that public safety cannot be achieved without the strengthening of civil and national unity. The mass manifestations of January 11 demonstrated the ability of French society to unite in front of the threat and challenges, and this potential should be further employed.

Keywords: security, freedom, the city suburbs, radical Islam, terrorism, France, Conflictology, republican march, republican values, school

Abstract: The main aim of the author of this article is to identify and study potential conflicts that can occur in the process of lobbying. To achieve this purpose, the author sets multiple goals: to explain the necessity of using the communicative approach to study the phenomenon of lobbying; to identify the main structural elements of lobbying communication and to estimate their conflict potential; to assess the probability of conflicts in the process of lobbying. The article notes that conflicts in lobbying communication are almost inevitable, due to the fact that public resources and the benefits are finite, and they are contested by competing actors. Through structural and functional analysis of lobbying communication the author identifies the basic types of conflicts that occur at different stages of the flow of information from its source to its destination. The methodological base of research involves the system, structural-functional, comparative and political approaches, methods of the analysis, synthesis, supervision, modeling. The author concludes that conflicts in lobbying are determined by relationships between competing entities (interest groups); by the level of openness and accessibility of public institutions; by lobbying techniques used to influence the authorities; by the degree of transparency of lobbying communications and by fairness of political and administrative decisions.

Keywords: conflictogene factors, political conflicts, lobbying communication, lobbying, interest groups, society, politics, interests, values, security

Abstract: Based on the advancements of Russian philosophical and psychological school during the 1920-30s, the authors have attempted to reflect on its potential in the context of portraying contemporary politicians. Major paradigmatic directions of development of the phenomenon of identification based on the context principle are disclosed. Fundamental philosophical differences, philosophical, psychological and actual psychological interpretations of the concept of personality are outlined. Heuristic aspects of Russian religious philosophical and psychological thought, which give modern philosophical discourse a peculiar introspective dimension, are revealed. The authors appeal to the integration potential of philosophical psychology, which as a frontier discipline, and contains a convergent resource, forming a synthesis of knowledge about personality. It shows the unique imagery of Russian philosophical and psychological consciousness as a "multidimensional" consciousness, which originates in the traditions of the Byzantine ontological aesthetics. It is concluded that the psychological portraiture of a politician's personality takes considerable heuristic potential, based on the theory of the image, symbolic and axiological approach.

Keywords: law of context, portretology, portraiture, person, state, politician, society, politics, substantiality, theory of image