This article is devoted to an important and urgent problem — the study of the phenomenon of political leadership, determining the optimal conditions for its formation as a political institution. In modern conditions, the layering of various cultural and historical paradigms directly related to the strategic development of key social institutions is very clearly manifested. On the one hand, researchers note the onset of a fundamentally new era for civilization — the information society, which has its own strategic guidelines and priority areas, on the other — the previous (industrial and agrarian) coexist in parallel, competing and inhibiting each other’s development. The onset of a new technological order does not cancel the expansion of the previous ones. That is why political leadership today attracts a lot of attention from political scientists, public politicians, and leading representatives of key social institutions.

The paper examines the history of the development of ideas about political leadership, analyzes the conceptual apparatus, identifies the essential features of this phenomenon. The analysis of the problem field, the criticism of existing approaches and the determination of prevailing trends indicate the reliability and thoroughness of the conducted research, emphasize its theoretical and practical significance.

The materials for the research were scientific sources in the public domain (books, monographs, textbooks, articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals; dissertations and abstracts; articles in the collection of materials of scientific and practical conferences, etc.), official mass media (websites, newspapers, magazines, television broadcasts), public statements senior officials, regulatory documents, results of public opinion research, expert assessments of leading political scientists, political technologists and consulting agencies.

The methods used are mostly theoretical: analysis of scientific texts, periodicals, public statements of officials, regulatory documents, results of public opinion research; comparison, comparison, extrapolation.

The result of the conducted research is the clarification of the concept of “political leadership”, the problematization of the dynamics of its formation and transformation into a political institution.

The results of the study were discussed at the meetings of the Department of Humanities of the Institute of Social Sciences and the Department of Economic Theory and Politics of the RANEPA under the President of the Russian Federation, as well as the A. A. Zinoviev International Scientific and Educational Center of the Faculty of Philosophy of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The article analyses the evolution of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the QUAD, involving the United States, Japan, India and Australia, that aimed at developing a coordinating policy and holding strategic consultations in an attempt to balance the growing power of China in Indo-Pacific region. The author presents the reasons, goals and objectives for the emergence of the QUAD, the interests of the participating countries, as well as the arguments of some countries that do not want to turn this alliance into an Asian NATO. The new great power rivalry between the US and China is having a negative impact on the existing system of political and economic relations in the Indo-Pacific region. Based on the study, the author argues that QUAD’s activities are aimed to control the Indo-Pacific region as a single economic and space and cover a wide range of different areas, and the US-led quadrilateral partnership is likely to increase tension in the region and will not help maintain stability in the region. The results of the analysis of QUAD’s activities have made it possible to determine the controversial nature of the policy of this alliance in the field of economy and security, and that the international situation in the region in the coming years will become increasingly tense and less predictable.

The specific of political and political-administrative management of the United States reveals some problematic aspects of realization of official competencies by the head of state from the perspective of positive political relations with American congressmen related to achieve political consensus and make agreed political decisions. In this regard, the search for effective political mechanisms and tools of interinstitutional interaction of executive and legislative authorities at the present stage of the US political development is actualized. Normative and legal bases of political and administrative functions of the US President and the US Congress are considered. Political and historical features of interinstitutional interaction of executive and legislative authorities in the United States are analyzed. The key factors and conditions of conflictogenicity of political relations with American congressmen in the framework of D. Trump’s presidency are identified. The main reasons and circumstances of deepening interinstitutional contradictions in the US political system with regard to J. Biden’s functional role are formulated. It is concluded that it is necessary to build political trust and use approbated political tools approved by the US President and American legislators. At the same time, real causes of political events observed in the United States have an objective nature and need a more in-depth and detailed analysis. As a result, problematic planes and levels of political-administrative relations between the state bodies of executive and legislative power in the United States at the present stage are presented. The author used quantitative (multifactorial analysis, statistical presentation of data) and qualitative (content analysis, secondary analysis of data from American analytical and scientific research centers) methods.

The article examines the peculiarities of the functioning of state control (supervisory) bodies in the Russian Federation at the present time. The subtleties of the mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of the functioning of the system of control (supervisory) bodies are analyzed using the example of evaluating the work of these bodies in the field of social services in St. Petersburg. The current problems of the functioning of the system of state control (supervisory) bodies in the Russian Federation are reflected. Based on the identified problems, the authors propose a set of measures based on the principles of legality and transparency, a balance of interests aimed at achieving the most useful result for all participants in control (supervisory) activities. The implementation of the proposed measures should follow the path of using modern approaches to managing the system of control (supervisory) bodies based on the results of scientific and technological progress.

In this article, authors critically analyze the concept of derisking. Derisking is actively promoted by the Western expert community as a new strategic basis for US-China trade relations. Derisking refers to the transition from the policy of radical breakdown from the trade partnership with China to the rhetoric of risk reduction, which implies limiting dependencies and risks arising from them. It does not imply a complete rupture with a partner. Based on the extensive historical material study, as well as applying modern conflictological methods of risk analysis, authors come to the conclusion that derisking management strategy does not have the conceptual optics necessary for analyzing political dimension of international economic relations and is unable to explain what is the source of risks in reality.

Conceptual non-viability of derisking is due to disregard for the uneven capital development regularity, which determines the interstate relations. Global economy is a space of unfading conflict within the economic competition, and therefore eternal risk activity. The constant presence of risks in international relations makes conflict either a source that generates risks, or their result. On the example of the US-China trade relations, authors demonstrate how an attempt to elevate a partner who was designated for the outsiders’ fate generates a response from the risk-beneficiary to return the outsider to his native bosom by minimizing the consequences of risk for himself at the expense of others.

In fact, behind the derisking strategy, lies desire to increase the intellectual rents’ price paid for Western patents and technologies. The reaction to the possibility of losing one’s monopoly position creates an impulse to shake up relations and change their dynamics in the right direction for oneself. These impulses expose inherent systematical contradictions and determine the outbreak of a new round of a hot trade war. While staying in the negative unity relations, participants have no other choice but to achieve the goals of enrichment, which are the same for all participants, through denying each other, and aspire every time to establish unequal economic exchange in their favor.

Digitalization, as the most important trend in the modern development of the economy and society, can be accompanied by not only positive but also negative consequences. In order for it to have only a positive impact, it is necessary to fulfill the requirements that it presents to society in the form of the content of the challenges. In the case when these requirements are not met, there is a threat of negative consequences of the impact of digitalization, which are proposed to be described through risk. The article proposes to solve the problem of enhancing the positive and reducing the negative impact of digitalization on the activities of a certain subject and/or on the content of any object impacted by digitalization on the basis of the creation and implementation of a Comprehensive Digitalization Risk Management Program. It includes Program N 1 for managing risks caused by the impact of digitalization on a certain area of society; Program N 2 for managing risks caused by the use of main digitalization products; Cyber Risk Management Program N 3 or Information Risk Management Program N 4, of which Program N 3 is a part. Each of these programs contains 2 parts: part 1 contains management decisions developed independently, part 2 contains management decisions to implement the requirements of regulatory legal acts, as well as national and interstate standards that implement risk management of information security violations at the state, interstate or industry levels level.

The article examines the issues of the formation of regional policy in Russia. The need for its consistent implementation in any socio-political and socio-economic conditions is substantiated. Comparisons are made between the practice of developing and implementing regional policy at the beginning of market transformations and modern conditions. The fundamentally important role of the state in solving the problems of eliminating imbalances in regional development is substantiated. The types and directions of Russian regional policy, as well as methods of its financial resource support, are considered. The characteristics of the most relevant measures of financial regulation of regional development processes related to ensuring the balanced development of territories, the implementation of large-scale projects, the possibility of attracting borrowed funds and involving the population in decision-making processes on the allocation of resources to solve socially significant problems of regional development are given.

The successful development of the economy in modern conditions is largely determined by its ability to reproduce innovations. In this regard, special attention both in scientific research and in practice is paid to the development of innovative potential at various levels of the economy (macro, meso, micro) in order to create the prerequisites for sustainable innovative development. The realization of this potential and its magnitude depend on many factors. The article analyzes the relationship between innovation potential and the level of development of the innovation infrastructure of the economy. It is shown that these two elements are not only closely related, but also have a stimulating effect on each other. The identified effects of the mutual influence of innovation potential and innovation infrastructure can be considered when implementing economic policies aimed at accelerating the innovative development of the Russian economy.

The purpose of this study is to identify the opportunities and threats of digitalization, assess the impact of digital technologies on the socio-economic development of regions and assess the level of digital inequality in Russia. The theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by academician V.L. Kvint is the theoretical and methodological basis of the study. According to the strategy methodology, the opportunities, and threats of the transition to digital technologies are determined at the level of individual regions and the country as a whole. The Theil index is used to assess the digital divide. The indicator by which inequality is assessed is the gross value added in the Information and Communications Activities sector. Let us decompose the Theil index into two components: intragroup and intergroup. Index estimates were obtained for the period 2016–2022. by constituent entities of the Russian Federation and by federa districts. It has been established that the digital divide is growing, and when considering federal districts, the intragroup component accounts for 80% of the regional variation in the indicator. A strong relationship was found between digital spending and the gross value added of the ICT industry. An OTSW analysis of the impact of digital technologies on the regional economy was carried out, the identified strategic opportunities are the basis for formulating strategic priorities, and strengths are the competitive advantages. The consistency of the regional development strategy with the strategic priorities of digitalization will make it possible to neutralize threats and take advantage of the opportunities of the digital economy for regional growth and development.

The article is devoted to the experience of Vietnam in the creation and development of special economic zones (SEZ). The article considers various types of special economic zones of the country. It was found that in Vietnam the predominant type is industrial parks (70% of all zones), coastal economic zones (20.8%), border economic zones (5.0%). 4 key economic zones (KEZ) have been identified, their role in the country’s economy has been identified: share in GDP, share in export-import turnover, share in FDI inflow. The main investors, regions and industries most attractive to foreign investors have been identified. The results of economic activity of the country’s first coastal economic zone Chu Lai are analyzed. Favorable factors for the successful development of SEZs in the country have been identified. The article includes author’s maps that illustrate the results of the study.

Topicality. The unprecedented sanctions policy against Russia forces us to think about the directions of development of the domestic economy. One of the priority directions is the development of the domestic electronic industry — the most knowledge-intensive branch of mechanical engineering, the structural core of the post-industrial wave in accordance with the wave concept of E. Toffler. It is electronic products, including components and products made from them, that are extremely differentiated and, among other things, serve as components for other industrial and consumer goods. This means that without the development of the electronic industry, the development of other spheres and sectors of the economy becomes difficult.

Aim. To determine the basic strategy for the development of the electronic industry in Russia.

Tasks. To identify the strategic role of innovations in electronics and microelectronics in Russia’s achievement of technological sovereignty.

Methods. The article is based on the general theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by academician, foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences V.L. Kvint, developed at the Center for Strategic Studies of the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems and the Department of Economic and Financial Strategy of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Results. The article provides an overview of global innovation trends and startups that are transforming the electronic industry today. In addition to the review, the author provides statistical information on the level of development of these technologies in Russia.

Conclusions. The strategy for the development of the electronic industry in Russia should be based on a reorientation towards innovative products and components, as well as innovative production methods.

The aim of the study is to develop a questionnaire integrating traditional career guidance techniques and categorization of IT professions by analyzing existing classifications and interviewing IT specialists. Methods. In order to achieve the objective, we selected a traditional career guidance methodology by analysing the existing ones and selecting the one that best corresponds to the research objective; we also selected a system of categorisation of IT specialties by analysing the existing classifications and interviewing IT specialists. Results. Among the existing traditional career guidance techniques, the Holland Test was selected as having the potential to be adapted to the IT field. The analysis of the existing classifications of IT specialities showed the lack of unity, in this context our own categorisation was developed, including five main categories: development, QA specialists, working with data and research, management, design. Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, it was hypothesised that there are differences in the degree of expression of the Holland types among the different IT professions. Also, the presumed correspondence between different categories of IT professions and the predominant Holland types is given. The study forms the basis for the development of a software product that will help people to identify the most suitable IT professions for them.

The article considers the experience in assessing the quality of educational activity processes, such as the procedure for conducting intermediate certification and the procedure for preparing and defending term papers at a university. The authors of the article suggest using specific process indicators, including controlled parameters, to evaluate processes of educational activities. Methodology of evaluating any process of educational activities is presented as a list of main indicators with their description. The practical significance of the study is presented by the suggested evaluation indicators, which will be useful for staff of educational and methodological departments of higher education institutions as well as quality management departments.

These days, management studies and domestic economic and sociological research frequently employ the term “driver.” Additionally, this concept’s cognitive capacity is significantly reduced by the lack of an agreed-upon definition. The article’s purpose is to demonstrate the concept of “drivers” heuristic potential for sociological analysis of issues related to the growth of sociohumanitarian research in Russian universities. Three components of the university’s social structure—academic ethics compliance, graduate school, and online academic communities— are regarded as internal drivers of socio-humanitarian research in Russian universities after first
conceptualizing the term “driver” from the standpoint of sociological theory. Study design. This is a pilot project that uses secondary data analysis as its foundation. The information theory developed by K. Shannon provides the theoretical framework that enables us to identify the characteristics of the driver that set it apart from other system mediating components. The frameworks of institutional analysis and the theory of social action are used in the process of sociological conceptualization. This enables us to draw attention to the social system’s motivator’s subjective element. Results. A general definition of the concept of a driver is given, and two of its key attributes — its requirement and information recoding — are emphasized. It is demonstrated that the sociological reading of the driver is linked to an evaluation of the degree of functionality of the effects of its operation on the social structure. The personal qualities of the individuals involved in its work define the nature of these consequences. In this sense, the driver can influence the social system’s growth as well as its stagnation. University research can be internally motivated by a variety of factors, such as upholding academic ethics standards, successfully implementing postgraduate programs, and founding and moderating online academic communities. The novelty of the results obtained is associated with the implementation of technical terms into socio-humanitarian knowledge, which made it possible to give a more rigorous definition of the concept of driver in relation to the analysis of social changes and processes. The article will be of interest to science administrators at universities.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the protest activity of the youth of St. Petersburg as a form of political participation. Method. To achieve this goal, a content analysis method was chosen, which includes monitoring protest activity among young people. Results. The analysis of protest activity in the youth environment of St. Petersburg is carried out: the organizers of protest actions, the theme of protests, their political forms and number are revealed. The ways to resolve conflicts between society and the authorities in order to conduct a dialogue and, as a consequence, reduce protest activity are proposed. Conclusions. The conducted research has shown that St. Petersburg is home to an active civil society, ready to take political part in various forms, including protest actions. With the help of direct dialogue between youth movements and authorities, discontent on the part of activists representing population groups will decrease. The results of this study will be of interest to specialists in the field of political science and sociology, civil servants in the field of youth policy.

In the article, the author conducted a review of modern research on the stated topic and concluded that from the standpoint of sociology, the category of mentoring seems insufficiently researched (in this vein, it is given much less attention in the scientific literature). Mentoring, studied by specialists within the framework of the sociological sciences, was usually considered from the standpoint of the concepts of structural functionalism and social exchange (A. Goffman; J. Allan; E. Gardiner, etc.). For the sociological concepts of the mentoring institute, the basic factor is the category of socialization. Mentoring, along with the processes of education and upbringing, is an integral component of socialization. The practice of introducing mentoring allows us to state the ambiguity and vagueness of the mentor’s ideas about himself and his role, as well as the image of the mentor for his wards, which creates obstacles to instilling standards of mentoring in terms of its organization and successful implementation, both at the individual and group levels. It should be noted that the focus of mentoring has shifted from its representation as a conductor of powerand holder of a certain structure to its importance in the education and development of the corporate culture of a modern organization. The processes of socialization are also related to the mechanisms of adaptation and motivation. If adaptation is considered as part of the socialization process, then, as for motivation, its role in the sociological mechanism of the mentoring institute is debatable.

The article provides an overview of the Russian Scientific and practical conference “Childhood in modern Russia: problems, politics, prospects”, organized by the North-West Institute of Management of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and held on May 31, 2024. Analysis of materials and reports of conference speakers built on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology. Revealing quantitative data from content analysis made it possible to detect the child’s status in modern object-subject relations. Interpretation of verbal information allows characterize the problems of children, as well as determine the vectors of the main areas of research and practical work with children to achieve happy and prosperous childhood.