2023 Issue №2

The modern transformation of the world order and Russia's new place in it, which gener­ates additional problematic situations and challenges for the country, initiate the "municipal­ization" of approaches both in socio-geographical, regional studies, and in the field of state regulation of spatial development. In the municipal theme itself, at the same time, issues relat­ed to geopolitics come to the fore. The article presents general theoretical ideas about the geo­political aspects of municipal development (with the isolation of their content block directly related to "internal geopolitics"), their inventory and systematization are carried out (taking into account the special role of individual municipalities and their groupings in geopolitical processes, the general trend shift of the focus of political-geographical, socio-economic and ethnodemographic problems to the municipal the level, as well as the multidimensional influ­ence of geopolitics on the situation of municipalities). Particular attention is paid to the de­terminants and problematic situations of municipal development in the Russian Federation in the context of its sharply aggravated conflict with the "collective West" and the actual transi­tion to geostrategic multi-vector. A conceptual idea of "geostrategic municipalities" is deve­loped, their main typological invariants inherent in modern Russia are characterized.

The article focuses on the dynamics of the Kaliningrad region population in 1947—2023 and the dynamics components in 1990—2022 in comparison with the national average (based on the official statistics). The authors reveal some territorial features of the demographic pro­cesses, such as the development of settlement polarization and suburbanization, as well as the fundamental geodemographic differences between the near suburban zone of Kaliningrad and less urbanized eastern municipalities. It is proposed to use the concept of the Unified Settle­ment System in the eastern parts of the region to improve the spatial organization of settle­ment on the basis of a three-stage system of inter-settlement service. The authors noted strengthening role of Sovetsk and Chernyakhovsk in serving the cities and rural areas of the North and South-East of the region, respectively, developing rural-urban ties between the centers of municipalities with their rural settlements, and within municipal districts, which testifies to the strengthening support functions of the centers of the first level municipalities.

Russia and China are the countries with an active digital agenda and a high level of In­ternetization of the population. The modern foreign policy vector of the governments of the two countries is aimed at strengthening cooperation, including the digital sphere. The article provides an assessment of the cross-country digital divide with an emphasis on the analysis of the dynamics in the development of information and communication infrastructure and the use of the Internet by the population in 2010—2021. The technological, territorial, social and economic factors of the digital divide are considered, and a comparison is made of the main problems hindering the spread of the Internet among the population. The research results highlight the importance of public policy in bridging the digital divide, both within and be­tween the countries. The potential for expanding Russian-Chinese cooperation in technologi­cal and educational fields in order to promote economic growth and greater digital inclusion of the population is shown. The study continues the academic discussion about the role of digital technologies in the global economic development of countries and maintaining their international competitiveness.

Small forms of management in the agricultural system of the Kaliningrad region contin­ue to be an important structural element. At the same time, for the rural area of the region, they perform a more complex role, ensuring, among other things, an increase in the quality of life of the rural population. The current geopolitical and geo-economic conditions in which the Kaliningrad region operates have required strengthening and differentiation of measures and forms of state support for such enterprises. The region has a large-scale program to support farmers, including both financial and non-financial instruments. At the same time, it is nec­essary to assess not only support measures, but also the economic well-being of local agricul­tural entrepreneurs in a dynamically changing economic environment. With the help of ex­pert interviews with local entrepreneurs, key problems faced by local producers were identi­fied and certain practical tools were proposed that can provide a solution to some of these problems. One of the main conclusions of this study is the assurance that despite the change in external conditions that have negatively affected the conditions of operation, small busi­nesses in the Kaliningrad region continue to work and are actively developing, thereby providing conditions for the development of rural areas of the Kaliningrad region.