Abstract: The object of the research in this article is nationalism. The analysis of the results of various methodological approaches to nationalism demonstarte the main vectors of its impact on international relations, factors of the emergence and settlement of inter-ethnic (ethnic) conflicts. The aim of the article is to analyse the nature of "nationalism" as an ambiguous phenomenon in national public relations and to define its role as the main source of modern inter-ethnic (ethnic) conflicts. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the duality of nationalism in inter-ethnic (ethnic) relations.The study involves system-integrated, cultural, historical and political scientific methodological approaches, as well as classification of nationalism by various grounds. The main conclusion of the conducted research was the fact that in modern conditions the nationalism serves as a primary source of inter-ethnic (ethnic) conflicts in the first place, not as a cultural factor (which is its nature), but as a political factor, as an instrument in the hands of ethnocracy. Examples of individual countries show that nationalism in its manifestation in society can play both a constructive role, acquiring patriotic orientation, and also a deconstructivist role, working as a catalyst of inter-ethnic tensions.

Keywords: cultural factor, state, ethnocracy, conflict, genocide, chauvinism, nationalism, nation, ethnicity, political factor

Abstract: The aim of this work is the presentation and analysis of different forms of labour agreements between the employer and the Internet employees based on the legislative framework of Russian Federation, as well as the sociological research data regarding Internet employees living in the Nizhny Novgorod region. This work is considering the process of implementation of legal rules in social activity of the participants of the Internet labour market. The author considers in details all kinds of labour agreements, existing in Russia, as well as their legal and non-legal forms. Methods of research include theoretical analysis of Russian and foreign literature and analysis of the data of sociological research "Employment in the Internet in the Nizhny Novgorod region". The result of this paper is determination of the most widespread form of labour agreements between Internet employees and their employers. The article provides all social and economical characteristics of labour agreements, their advantages and disadvantages for the Internet employees.

Keywords: informatisation, labour contract, labour agreement, telework, freelance, post-industrial society, Internet employment, atypical employment, labour relations, labour

Abstract: Scientific, axiological and historical approaches have been used to consider the model of national (public) security, which reflects the dualism of the values of development and preservation, taking into account the following factors: population of the state, area, the level of technological development and its convertation to actions, diversity of population. The parameters are evaluated by the example of participation of a range of countries in the First and Second World wars, as well as the military campaign of the USA in Iraq. The parameters characterising the diversity of population are based on the statistical data of the regions and ethnicities of Russia (USSR). The demonstrated model meaningfully characterises the potentials of states and societies. The convertations of these potentials to real developments depends on multiple factors studied by humanities. The study involves mathematical and statistical methods of analysis of social processes and phenomena. The parameters have been evaluated using the least squares method. Having used the suggested model, the author concludes that the European Union has probably reached the limits of its enlargement, and it is possible that some states may withdraw their membership. Also, function values of sovereignty, preservation and security have been calculated for the countries of G7 (USA, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Canada and Italy) and E7 (China, India, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey). Total function value of sovereignty for the E7 countries is 1.7, whereas for the G7 states it is 4.6.

Keywords: public security, national security, nation, ethnicity, sovereignty, historical approach, axiological approach, modelling, security criterion, mathematical model

Abstract: The subject of the research is the peculiarities of functioning of innovative megaprojects in the scientific sphere of Russia. The objective is to determine the shape of the state scientific and technical policy through the establishment and support of major research projects. Special attention is paid to the problems of financing and evaluation of the effectiveness of Russian science, that emerged during the crisis of 2014. The mechanisms of state participation in such projects as Skolkovo and National research universities are critically considered. The characteristics of the special economic zones of innovation type as an important tool for encouraging innovation activity are presented. The article used such methods as scientific analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction. For the analysis of data on indicators of innovative activity in science and technology the method of statistical grouping is used. In the article it is proved, that the term “megaproject” can not only be used for major investment projects, but also for science and public policy in science and technology. The criteria for the megaproject are identified and the applicability of these criteria for innovative projects in the field of science is showed. The comparative analysis of the two editions of the state program of the Russian Federation “The development of science and technology” in the 2013-2020 periods is presented for the first time. The decrease in public funding for the program, correcting its target indicators, as well as the reduced requirements to some parameters of research and innovation is identified. The special contribution of the author to the study is the description of the role of three megaprojects (Skolkovo, Innovation Zones, National research universities) in innovative development of the country. It is concluded that despite the economic difficulties, Russia is seeking to reaffirm its status as the world scientific power with a high degree of international cooperation.

Keywords: funding, fundamental researches, state program, indicators, sphere of science and technology, innovative development, megaproject, special economic zones, National research universities, integration

Abstract: The process of the self-organisation of a local community is aimed at the implementation of forms of political activism under the conditions of well-developed civil political culture. Being the key subject of local government, the local community expresses public and municipal interests and demands, transmitting them to the authorities, public organisations and business-community via formal and informal channels of communication. Only drastic revaluation of the existing system of the new public management and replacing it with the principles of network and synergistic management will make it possible to overcome the internal disunity of the local community and provide the creation of an integral municipal political culture, based on common worldview stereotypes and identities. 

Keywords: political science, local community, political culture, self-organisation, self-administration, synergistic communication model, civic culture, political activism, political participation, civil society

Abstract: The paper shows the necessity for the securing of the development of the Russian Federation in the context of implementation of the industrial policy of the state. The subject of the research is the industrial policy in all its forms and methods of implementation. The aim of the article is to determine the necessary strategic ways of implementing regional economic policy for the successful implementation of industrial policy for the sustainable functioning of the state territory. The methodological basis of the study involves scientific methods of knowledge - synthesis as a tracing method to identify the cumulative effect of the industrial policy for the development of the region and the country as a whole, as well as analysis as an environmental parameter to identify the boundaries of permissible regulation between municipal, regional and federal authorities, and the extents of their responsibility. The study resulted in the fact that the article deals with the predominant form of implementation of cluster objects. The necessary level of management of development of industrial policy at regional levels of government is being defined. Managerial competences are distinguished between municipal and regional authorities. The results of the study can be applied for the formation of long-term and medium-term regional economic policy. The conclusions of the study demonstarte the prospects of integration of the implemented industrial policy into the regional economic space.

Keywords: manufacturing, development, strategy, management structure, regional economics, municipal structures, industrial policy, industry, economic sphere, population

Abstract: This article studies how the phenomenon of elections is explored in Arend Lijphart’s theory of democracy. The author highlights the main theses that serve as justification for division of democracies to «majoritarian» and «consensus», and briefly describes the variables that allow to attribute a country to a particular type of democracy: the number of effective parliamentary parties, party composition of the government, balance of powers between executive and legislative branches, disproportionality of the elective system, level of centralisation/decentralisation, number of chambers of the parliament, rigidity or flexibility of the Constitution, judicial control, independence of the central bank, and the level of participatory democracy. Methods of comparative analysis were used, the author also used calculations based on the formulas of Laakso and Taagepera's, Juan Molinar's and Golosov's indexes. Disproportionality of the Russian elective system was evaluated according to Michael Gallagher's methods. The analysis of Russian system is based on variables of different dimensions of democracy. The article also provides comparative analysis of the elective processes in countries with different types of democracy. Russia was labelled as a country with majoritarian type of democracy. It is generally confirmed by the patterns of voting behaviour examined in the article, as well as the fact that the strong presidential regime makes the whole political system "more majoritarian", even if the elections to the legislative organs are held according to the system of proportional representation.

Keywords: federal-unitary dimension of democracy, executive-parties dimension of democracy, electoral system, voting behaviour, political system, theory of democracy, consensus democracy, majoritarian democracy, elections, Arend Lijphart

Abstract: The subject of this work is the political thinking structure. In the modern world the psychological characteristic of subjectivity as a property of political thinking acquires a new understanding that conditions the relevance of this study. We consider that one of the defining aspects for psychology of political thinking is the position in relation to its content. The author considers in detail the subject political field, in which the political actor (subject in politics), serves as the bearer of certain meanings and senses. Therefore, the subjectivity of political tasks being solved, first of all, is determined by the social-cultural conditions and types of the executed political activity. The system-strategic conception of political thinking, in which it is considered through three components (cognitive, operational, and regulatory-personal), was elaborated and analysed from the anglet of the following properties: subjectivity, practicality, conceptuality, and creativity, which were organized systemically and strategically determined. The subjectivity of thinking is provided by separation of the relevant material by the actor and its inclusion into the corresponding thought forms. Upon the change of content the structure of political thinking also gets rearranged. Not only the sequence of tactics is changed in the system of thinking strategies, but also the content of thinking operations in the structure of tactics. At that some tactics acquire dominant meaning, and the form of thinking action is changed. The complexities emerging in the implementation of the thinking action on the concrete political material, point out the qualitative specificity of the systemic-strategic content of thinking activity and necessity of its substantial rearrangement upon the change of subsubject of the thought.

Keywords: mental action, subobject of thought, subject of politics, political consciousness, political thinking, polysubjectness, subjectivity of political thinking, politics, properties of thinking, notionality

Abstract: This article reveals the possibilities and prospects of reflexive modelling of political actors’ interaction. Today, political scientists have begun to realize more clearly the necessity of regulatory mechanisms of co-existence, which are not based on individualism, but on cooperation, and which allow dynamic transition from conflict to a managed confrontation and cooperation. These mechanisms are primarily focused on the relations between the actors, allowing to describe not only the usefulness of the relationship between political actors, but also the structure of the inner world of political entities. Today we need the formalized theory, which allows us to describe the interaction between actor’s inner worlds and their motives.Reflexive mechanisms offer a theoretical framework for understanding the actor’s relations and their behavior. The main feature of actor’s reflexive model is that the syntax of the model describes the algorithmic meaning of the choice of actor’s behavior, and also contains formal description of the psychological state of the actor during the act.This article confirms the adequacy of the algebraic reflexive theory in modelling of interactions of the actors. The main content of reflection of actors’ relations is for the actor to realize the free choice of relations with another actor on the basis of ethical type of choosing actor’s reflection. In this sense, it is enough to simulate a reflective structure of the political actor to identify the predominant type of its political relations and the psychology of choice in behavior towards others.

Keywords: reflexivity, reflexive game theory, political actor, algebraic research model, political theory, system of values, mathematics in political science, political psychology, ethical systems

Abstract: The article discusses the features of the formation and functioning of democratic institutions in modern Western democracies, as well as their role in the system of government. Democratic institutions are the basic elements of a democratic system of government, they underlie and guarantee political stability and respect for the rights and freedoms of citizens. It is a tool to ensure their direct or indirect participation in the governance of the country. They make the political regime clear, both horizontally and vertically developed, accessible to the people, inclusive, effective, efficient, open and competitive. The research methodology is based on systematic, structural-functional, comparative historical and comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, observation, induction, deduction, and modeling. According to the author, for a democratic system to work effectively, it is necessary that there is a stable system of political institutions,  namely, democratic institutions, and the institutions of government. Furthermore, the structure of these institutions should be clear and hierarchic; an important role here is played by the leaders who should motivate, harmonise, set goals and demonstrate methods to achieve the best system performance. If these requirements are met, the cooperation between all the authorities becomes possible, as well as the "feedback" of civil society. That is what makes such system successful and productive.

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

Abstract: The problematic issues raised by the author in this paper, are worded as follows: firstly, what does the concept of "cyberwar" actually mean for the political establishment? Secondly, to what extent is the concept of "cyberwar" applicable for the understanding of global trends, the future of military strategy and instruments for its implementation? The author is conducting a study of the strategic context in which there are currently undergoing debates about "cyberwar" (in particular, the declining value of direct military force perceived by some researches), and also analysing the difficulty of achieving the real strategic effect through "pure" cyber attacks.In this paper, taking into account the objectives, traditional for the humanities comparative methods are used, as well as case studies, and the theory of political decision-making.The main conclusion of the study is that the military cyberpower does not have enough of strategically strong potential, as it was painted in recent years. According to the author, there is every reason to believe that, like military air power, it will be an important element in future joint operations of ground, air and naval forces; but the concept of cyberwar as a strategically crucial form of interstate conflict is misleading and meaningless diversion of efforts and resources on useless objects.

Keywords: international security, national security, cyber-threats, confrontation in cyberspace, cyberrevolution, cybersecurity, information security, Russia, USA, NATO

Abstract: The object of the analysis in the article is globalisation in the field of international relations. The subject of the analysis is the Russian-American relations in the context of globalisation. Different interpretations of the concept of globalisation are provided. The influence of globalisation on the international activity of Russia is analysed. The article deals with the sources of globalism, which were formed after World War II, as well as their transformation into the modern concept of American exclusiveness. The part and the place of liberalism in the formation of the modern intergovernmental relation system have been shown. The place that the Western countries assign to Russia in the modern world architecture is outlined. Statements and speeches of the representatives which led to the modern crisis in the international relations have been comparatively analysed. The conclusion about the “cold war” unceasing has been drawn. The Western States sought to force out the Russian Federation in every possible way from the decisive positions when forming the modern world process. Modern globalisation presents only the veiled form of the up-dated American world supremacy. The author has formulated the causes of the modern International relation aggravations.

Keywords: hegemony, American domination, civilisational development, globalism, geopolitics, “cold war”, International relations, liberalism, world leadership, national interests

Abstract: The article considers some issues of modern processes of regionalization in Central Asia as a possibility of regional self-identification in the new context. Different starting economic development potential of the newly independent States has determined the strategy of inter-state relations. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the political situation in the region after the collapse of the USSR in the context of the disputed territories and joint water use of transboundary rivers.Unfair, from the point of view of the Central Asian countries, division of state borders, conducted in Soviet times, still hampers building up a full-fledged cooperation with the neighbors in the region. Border conflicts often end in armed clashes. Water and energy resources are also an important factor in the Central Asian interaction, which leads to an open confrontation between the upstream and the downstream countries on the issues of hydropower potential use.In the article factor analysis and interdisciplinary approach to the study of the intra-regional conflicts of transboundary water resource use is applied. Different attempts of interstate collaboration and causes hampering this process are considered. The negative role of border, energy and water conflicts in regional cooperation is reflected in the article. The study of transformation processes in Central Asia makes it possible to state that the political and economic development of the countries is uneven, inconsistent, and is formed on the basis of objective and subjective factors. The low degree of intra-regional cooperation beyond integration associations leads to economic and political dependence of each country on the influential global actors.

Keywords: international organizations, border conflicts, regionalization, problems of transboundary rivers, area, transformation, Central Asia, integration, conflict of interest, international relations

Abstract: The article considers the question of participation of the Prisons Custody Society in the process of correction of the convicted persons. The author characterises the major fields of concern of the Society which laid the foundation for the formation of the institution of public control over the reinforcement of rights of persons residing in the places of forced imprisonment; penitentiary medicine; organisation of education and labour in detention places; penitentiary legislation, etc. The Society actively engaged in implementing various innovations: 1) prison premises were subject to reconstruction: big windows were installed in order to provide larger fresh air intake in cells and corridors, the cell doors were furnished with small folding windows, pavements were laid in the prison yards; 2) the members of the Soceity themselves accomodated the prisoners by their age, type of crime and degree of culpability; 3) works were organised for the prisoners: workshops on cardboard craft, binding, woodwork, etc. were launched; 4) churches were built in prisons, equipped with praying rooms; 5) special uniform was introduced for the prisoners to facilitate their recognition in case of prison break; 6) asylums for prisoners' children were organised. The Prisons Custody Society at the time played a significant role in establishment and further development of the institution of peer pressure as a means of correction of convicted persons.

Keywords: correction of convicted persons, penal law, peer pressure, criminal penalty, penitentiary facilities, moral correction, public organisations, process of correction, criminal law, charity work

Abstract: The author closely examines such aspects of the topic as the structure of political culture, which is considered by scientists in different ways depending on their understanding of the relationship between the terms "political consciousness", "political ideology and psychology", "political culture".The existence of a large number of definitions of culture in contemporary literature can cast doubt on the very existence of such a phenomenon. But it is crucial to note that the culture as a social object is а multidimensional, universal phenomenon, so it is possible (and necessary) to use a variety of approaches study it. All of them, as methodological principles, are based on different theoretical interpretations of culture.Due to the fact that the political culture as an object of study is a very complex multivalued phenomenon, the research conducted in the article was methodologically based on the application of general theoretical and dialectic ttols using the idea of methodological synthesis as a basis for the design and development of the political approach to social phenomena. This synthesis involves the combination of activity-interpretation of the essence of culture with the phenomenological approach to the description of political life and the principles of the system in its organicist interpretation. The results obtained during the ongoing research can be used in teaching of general and specialized courses in social philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of management, theoretical sociology and political science. Theoretical and practical significance is defined by the fact that the study of political culture is carried out at the level of socio-philosophical analysis, which allows us to consider it in the context of the major trends in the development of modern society, and the methodology of social and humanitarian studies.

Keywords: experience, evaluation, orientation, beliefs, values, scientists, structural elements, political culture, traditions, myths