Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of framework of domestic policy of the Russian Federation in a particular administrative formation – North Caucasian Federal District, and primarily the strategic goals and tasks resolved by the federal center in the region at present stage. The tool for resolution of these tasks lies in the plan of unification of the North Caucasian subjects in the context of new formation – North Caucasian Federal District, with establishment of specific architecture of administration, vertical and horizontal connections. It is underlined that such administrative decision is adjusted to the certain conditions, specificity, and peculiarities of North Caucasus, considering the polycultural, polyconfessional, ethnic diversity of the region, as well as presence of various forms of the subjects – national republics, and exceptionally territorial subject Stavropol Krai. The author notes that evolution in relationship between the federal center and regional authorities of North Caucasian Federal District had two main sources. On one hand, the activity of competent representatives of the President in the district, the most ambitious of whom was Dmitry Kozak. On the other hand – revision of the approach towards solution of the problems of North Caucasus at federal level that resulted in creation of the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs in 2014. It responsibilities included the formulation of the projects of government programs on development of North Caucasus, coordination of the work aimed at implementation of these programs in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Abstract: The article researches the theory and practice of organizing and conducting operations of information and psychological wars in the media including the Internet. The object of this study is types of modern information confrontation (including information wars and psychological operations), the subject is forms and methods of their application in competitiveness between states, in international relations and world politics. The purpose of the research is to reveal features of waging modern information wars and organizing psychological operations. The methodological basis of the research is a structural and functional approach, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, systematization, and observation. The author draws attention to the fact that modern information warfare is an interstate conflict that arises at the stage of comprehension and aggravation of political contradictions between future antagonists represented by states and political elites. The conflict forms a future structure of conflict relations and creates conditions for use of direct armed force by one of the Antagonists. Information warfare is a special stage of political (international) conflict, encompassing preliminary and preparatory phases of the development of an armed conflict. Structurally, information warfare consists of a sequence of information operations, and the operations themselves - of a sequence of information attacks coordinated in terms of goals, tasks, objects and time of information impact. In modern international relations and world politics, information war operations are planned not in a template way, but in situ using a variety of different schemes, techniques and approaches. At the same time, the effectiveness of information war operations often depends not on the selected means and methods of informational influence on the enemy but on the width and synchrony of coverage of mass audience by this influence. That is - on the channels that bring the manager of information-psychological influence to minds of concrete citizens.

Abstract: The piece studies the modern processes of supplanting and substitution of national interests with the corporate interests of new political actors – transnational corporations in global politics, resulting in the conflicts of interests and values. The research object is global politics as a whole and political activities of non-state actors in particular. The research subject is the conflicts of interests and values arising in the result of supplanting and substitution of national interests with corporate ones in global politics. The purpose of the research is to find out the essence and the content of modern processes of supplanting of national interests from global politics and their substitution with corporate interests and values of TNCs. The research methodology is based on the system, institutional, structural-functional and comparative-political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and observation.
The author focuses on the fact that in the result of the transformation of the global political system, caused by a massive “invasion” of TNCs in the political sphere, the national sovereignty principle can be substituted with the transnational interests’ balance principle, and international law – with corporate law extending its influence on the global political sphere. In this context, the growth of TNCs’ and the related groups’ interests in global politics can lead to the substitution of corporate interests of TNCs’ for national interests; it can cause further commercialization of global politics, supplanting of nation-states on its periphery, and indication of new challenges and threats to international security. 

Abstract: The article studies the role and place of non-state actors within the international relations system and world politics. The research object is the system of world politics, the research subject is the role and place of non-state actors of international relations – “actors beyond sovereignty” in world politics. The purpose of the research is to define the role and place of non-state actors (including special subjects of world politics – non-governmental organizations and trans-national corporations) within the system of world politics. The research methodology is based on the system, structural-functional, comparative-political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and observation. The author gives attention to the fact that in contemporary world politics, non-state actors play a special role: their “intervention” into the international relations sphere has led to complete transformation of fundamental principles of international politics, emergence of global politics, erosion of sovereignty and borders of nation-states and their loss of monopoly on relations between nations and peoples. Trans-national corporations are among the most active non-state actors. In their form and mode of existence they are not specialized actors: they can successfully embed into any vacant political niches and play any roles using the support of nation-states. TNCs create specialized subordinate branches – political movements, parties, fractions, blocks, which they use to solve particular problems. Contemporary TNCs consider political activity as a natural continuation of project activity, which is a natural component of any business. Solution of political problems via bargaining based on equivalent exchange is a typical style of TNCs, which they stick to in the sphere of political relations. In response to non-state actors “intervention” into world politics, the system of conventional actors of international relations dynamically transforms begetting new forms of participation of nation-states in global political processes and new forms of inter-state interaction, which suit the changed conditions of competition and the international relations system’s evolution trends. 

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of peculiarities of cooperation between modern states and transnational corporations in the area of global politics, forms and methods of finding consensus in the joint resolution of political issues, principles of achieving the mutually acceptable agreements, as well as management of the arising political conflicts.  The object of this study is the sphere of world politics and political processes taking place within. The subject of this study is the forms and methods of constructive cooperation between the national states and transnational corporations with regards to political issues. The author draws attention to the fact that the cooperation and mutual coexistence of the traditional Westphalian actors of international relations – the national states, and the "actors beyond sovereignty" – the transnational corporations, does not always carry unambiguous character within the modern world politics. Fairly often, the transnational corporations attempt to dictate their terms to national governments of the countries they operate in, including in the area of politics. With rare exception, it usually leads to a major conflict. In other countries, we can observe the process of fusion between the transnational corporations and national bureaucracy, which either leads to a symbiosis between the transnational corporations and state institutions, or to corruption of power.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the study of modern scientific approaches to the study of the political activity of non-state actors in international relations and world politics (such as TNCs, NGOs and others.). The object of this work is the non-state participants (actors) of international relations and world politics, as well as their political activities. The subject of this work is the modern scientific approaches towards the study of the political activity of non-state actors in international relations and world politics. The purpose of research consists in identification and classification of the modern scientific approaches to the study of non-state actors in international relations and world politics.The methodological basis of the study is a systematic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation.The author notes that by examining the scientific discussions that took place on the role of non-state actors in world politics, there are three main scientific approach, different from each other, basically, understanding the special nature of the relationship, lining up between non-state actors in world politics and nation-states. Each of the selected research approaches leans on specific views upon the role and place of the "actors outside the sovereignty" in the traditional Westphalian world order, in which the nation-states are the only recognized by all actors.

Abstract: This article is devoted to investigation of the practice of the United States in its foreign policy tools such as the political impact the operation of information-psychological war. The object of this study is the operation of information-psychological war in U.S. foreign policy. Subject of this research is forms, methods and tools of the United States of conducting information-psychological war on the example of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In today's world, no conflict takes place without information and psychological support, which in some cases takes on the organizational form of special information operations. In modern international conflicts, information and psychological operations have become an independent tool for the implementation of foreign policy, as demonstrated by the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, associated with direct invasion of the United States into these countries and their allies; as well as events in Libya and in Syria, which received (along with other conflicts in the region) the name "Arab Spring". Specialty of the information and psychological operations, as a tool for the implementation of U.S. foreign policy, is the distribution of powers and responsibilities among several government agencies: the Ministry of Defense, the State Department and the CIA. This approach allows exploring the potential enemy to the fullest extent, as well as maximally efficiently execute the information and psychological operations. However, the absence of a central authority responsible for carrying out information and psychological operations, leads to the fact that the United States has virtually no long-term strategy planning information and psychological operations that often negates the existing tactical successes in the conduct of information warfare, as happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. A large number of the involved agencies and absence of the central body, which is responsible for execution of the information operations, leads to the inefficient analysis of the received information, as well as critical mistakes in their planning and execution. This fact allows claiming that the American experience of waging the information wars is not universal.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the contemporary approaches towards political regulation of the international activity of modern multinational corporations on the institutional level. The object of this research is the international activity of multinational corporations, while the subject is the forms and methods of regulation of their international activity. The goal of this work consists in the attempt to characterize the existing form and methods of regulation of the international activity of multinational corporations (MNCs), as well as assess their efficiency. The author turns attention to the role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in regulation of the international activity of multinational corporations, as well as peculiarities of application of the norms and positions of the “Behavioral Code of MNCs” and “Global Compact” of the United Nations. A conclusion is made that the existing forms and methods of normative legal regulation of the modern MNCs are not sufficiently effective, because the majority of them is reduced to encouragement of MNCs towards signing with the nation states of the so-called agreements and contracts, which usually carry a declarative character. At the same time, the voluntarily accepted by the multinational corporations, responsibilities are not mandatory in practice, but rather completely depend on free will of the owners of MNCs. Most of such contracts and agreements (for example, the “Behavioral Code of MNCs”) do not contain sanctions for violation of the norms, and as a result, international mechanism of their application is not expressed, which makes the aforementioned norms recommendatory. This, in turn, leads to the fact that the modern MNCs, with regards to international affairs, avoid control of their activity by the nation states and intergovernmental international organizations.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to examination of the functions carried out by the modern transnational corporations (TNCs) within the system of world politics system, as well as the national interests of the traditional actors (nation-states), which in global politics are replaced by the transnational and corporate interests. The object of this research is the international (political) activity of the transnational corporations; while the subject is the functions of TNCs in world politics, as well as the conflict of national and corporate interests. The goal of this work consists in determination of the functions of TNCs in global politics and peculiarities of substitution in political sphere of the national interests of states with the corporate interests of TNCs. The attention is given to the fact that in modern world politics, the transnational corporations play a certain functions, which can be compared to or in some ways remind of the political functions of intergovernmental international organizations. From the political perspective, it allows considering TNCs as a direct competitor for not only the traditional nation-states, but also the intergovernmental international organizations. At the same time, the entrance of TNCs into the world politics and “taking on” a number of political functions, creates the risks of substitution of the national interests of modern states with the corporate interests of TNCs.

Abstract: The article studies the place and role of transnational corporations within the system of non-state actors of international relations. The research object is the system of international relations and world politics in general and the system of non-state actors of international relations in particular. The research subject is transnational corporations as a special type of non-state actors of world politics. The purpose of the study is to define the role and place of transnational corporations within the system of non-state actors of international relations.
The research methodology is based on the system, structural-functional, comparative-political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, and observation. The author draws attention to the fact that modern transnational corporations (TNC) have a special and, to a certain extent, a unique position within the system of non-state actors of international relations and world politics. In their form and way of existence, TNCs are not specialized actors: they can successfully fit into any vacant political niches and play any roles, using the support of nation-states both for the acquisition of the political status and influence, and the legitimation of the results of their political activities. 

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the contemporary approaches towards political regulation of the international activity of modern multinational corporations on the institutional level. The object of this research is the international activity of multinational corporations, while the subject is the forms and methods of regulation of their international activity. The goal of this work consists in the attempt to characterize the existing form and methods of regulation of the international activity of multinational corporations (MNCs), as well as assess their efficiency. The author turns attention to the role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in regulation of the international activity of multinational corporations, as well as peculiarities of application of the norms and positions of the “Behavioral Code of MNCs” and “Global Compact” of the United Nations. A conclusion is made that the existing forms and methods of normative legal regulation of the modern MNCs are not sufficiently effective, because the majority of them is reduced to encouragement of MNCs towards signing with the nation states of the so-called agreements and contracts, which usually carry a declarative character. At the same time, the voluntarily accepted by the multinational corporations, responsibilities are not mandatory in practice, but rather completely depend on free will of the owners of MNCs. Most of such contracts and agreements (for example, the “Behavioral Code of MNCs”) do not contain sanctions for violation of the norms, and as a result, international mechanism of their application is not expressed, which makes the aforementioned norms recommendatory. This, in turn, leads to the fact that the modern MNCs, with regards to international affairs, avoid control of their activity by the nation states and intergovernmental international organizations.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of interests of the United States in the Ukrainian crisis of 2013-2014, in instigation of which they were directly involved. The object of this research is the Ukrainian crisis of 2013-2014 dubbed as “Euromaidan”, which resulted in the forceful toppling of Yanukovych’s regime, as well as seizure the power by the pro-American and pro-Western oppositionists who has the support of the local nationalists and extremists. The subject of this research is the role of the United States in the Ukrainian crisis, their interests, main advantages and benefits gained from participation in this conflict. The author notes that at the end of February of 2014, during the so-called “Euromaidan” and with support of the United States, took place the government overthrow that became a culmination of the new color revolution in Ukraine. As a result, the pro-Western and anti-Russian in its essence powers, supported by the United State and European Union, came to power. Ukraine is not the first country bordering Russia that had experience the government coup, but it is one of the largest and most important countries from geopolitical perspective. Due to the victory of the color revolution, an aggressively oriented unfriendly regime has emerged on the Russian-Ukrainian border, which became a direct challenge for Russia and a threat to its national security. This is namely why Russia must develop an effective strategy for struggle against the color revolutions – a major threat to security and stability of the modern nations, a so-called “color plague” of the XXI century.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the analysis of the new edition of the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation, approved by Presidential Decree from December 31, 2015. The object of study is the national security of the Russian Federation; while the subject of research is the new challenges and threats to national security of the Russian Federation, as well as the form, methods and trends of its provision. The purpose of this study consists in giving a comprehensive assessment of the new strategy of ensuring Russia's national security in relation to the current foreign policy situation, and analyze the nature and content of the new challenges and threats (such as the color revolutions, new forms of international terrorism, hybrid war) first mentioned in the new edition of this Strategy. The methodological basis of the study is the systematic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation. The new National Security Strategy revision of the Russian Federation dating back to December 31, 2015 represents a fundamental (doctrinal) strategic planning document policy of the Russian Federation in the sphere of ensuring the security of individuals, society and the state, in which the aforementioned goals and tasks, directions and priorities of foreign and domestic policy of Russia in security are  formulated; in the prescribed order, in accordance with the internal hierarchy represented by the national interests of Russia, threats and challenges of e security, including new, not previously included in the scope of attention similar documents are presented: new types of network of international terrorism, the color revolutions, coups, hybrid war. This makes this strategy an extremely precise document containing not only the exact (from a legal and factual point of view) assessments of the causes of Ukrainian crisis, Syrian civil war, and international terrorist alliance led by ISIL, but also the role of the color revolutions in these processes, and the ideological evaluation and orientation that formulate the objective image of the world.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to research on separatism in Belgium and Great Britain at the present stage. The goal of this work is to conduct a comparative analysis on the political analysis of the forms and manifestations of separatism in Belgium and Great Britain. The article presents the analysis of the causes of the emergence, historical prerequisites of separatist movements in Belgium and Great Britain, peculiarities of development, structure of separatist movements, and on this basis, the author determines the general and specific features as well as the characteristic traits of the types of separatism that are developing in the aforementioned countries. The subject of this research is separatism as a special political phenomenon, while selection of Great Britain and Belgium as the object of the research is associated with the fact that namely these countries have the constitutional-monarchical governing system. Existence of various separatist movements in the modern Europe, which promote ideas of division of the European states, usually based on national heritage (UK with the issues of Ireland and Scotland, Spain with the Catalonia issue, Belgium with the problem of constant crisis in relations between Walloons and Flemings, etc.) allow to conduct a comparative historical and comparative political research, where the comparative paradigm is the main methodology.

Abstract: The paper studies the functions of non-state actors of international relations – “actors beyond sovereignty” – playing the key role in the modern world politics. This category includes nongovernmental organizations, non-profitable organizations, international funds, international professional unions, transnational corporations. Besides competing with traditional actors of international relations – national states and international organizations – non-state actors have special functions in the modern world politics, which ensure its sustainability, dynamics and ability to modernize. The research object is global politics in general, the research subject is the functions of non-state actors of international relations and world politics. The research methodology is based on the system, institutional, structural and functional and comparative-political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and observation. Non-state actors of international relations and world politics have their special and definite functions in the political sphere. Owing to these functions, typical for non-state actors, “actors beyond sovereignty”, and unusual for traditional actors of international relations, transnational corporations hold their stable position and political and ecological niche in global politics. 

Abstract: This article is dedicated to research on separatism in Belgium and Great Britain at the present stage. The goal of this work is to conduct a comparative analysis on the political analysis of the forms and manifestations of separatism in Belgium and Great Britain. The article presents the analysis of the causes of the emergence, historical prerequisites of separatist movements in Belgium and Great Britain, peculiarities of development, structure of separatist movements, and on this basis, the author determines the general and specific features as well as the characteristic traits of the types of separatism that are developing in the aforementioned countries. The subject of this research is separatism as a special political phenomenon, while selection of Great Britain and Belgium as the object of the research is associated with the fact that namely these countries have the constitutional-monarchical governing system. Existence of various separatist movements in the modern Europe, which promote ideas of division of the European states, usually based on national heritage (UK with the issues of Ireland and Scotland, Spain with the Catalonia issue, Belgium with the problem of constant crisis in relations between Walloons and Flemings, etc.) allow to conduct a comparative historical and comparative political research, where the comparative paradigm is the main methodology.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the study of basic contradictions and conflicts in today's globalized world, standing on the threshold of the formation of a new multi-polar political system. The object of study - the processes of formation of a new world system based on multipolarity, including - modern geopolitical and globalization processes. The subject of this study - the conflicts and contradictions in today's globalized world and the prospects of the Russian Federation to promote its national interests in the context of growing global instability. The purpose of this research - the identification and analysis of the basic contradictions and conflicts in the world today.The methodological basis of the research are systemic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation.The author draws attention to the fact that the modern world is a complex web of interests of different states, national economies, multinationals, ethnic, religious and cultural communities. Completion of the "cold war", the emergence of areas of instability in Eurasia, Ukraine, the Middle East, the US drive for global leadership, the spread of Western values, the application of double standards have led to increased geopolitical, geo-economic, ethnic and religious conflicts, the emergence of a number of armed conflicts. In these circumstances, Russia should focus efforts on maintaining and strengthening its position in the confrontation with other powers in the geopolitical, geo-economic and cultural-civilizational sphere.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the research of the essence, content, and main peculiarities of the Brazil model of federalism. The object of this work of this work is the Brazilian model of federalism, while the subject is the structure, concept, and specific aspects of the functioning of the Brazilian model of federalism, as well as its attractiveness (soft power) in the eyes of the other Latin American countries. Being a country with the multidimensional identity, Brazil was able to establish a unique model of the federative relations, which allows supporting an ethno-confessional balance within the initially very diverse ethnic environment and avoiding interethnic and interconfessional conflicts. The author notes that the “soft power” of the Brazilian federalism first and foremost manifests in the unconditional successes achieved by the country in formation of its own unique multidimensional identity, and seems very appealing for the entire Latin America. The constituents of Brazil – the states – are endowed with a certain level of freedom and independence, but it does not become the stimulating factor for spreading separatist activities in the country. Brazil does not have separatism in its modern political life. For the purpose of prevention of the possible conflicts between the states, the institute of the federal intervention is codified in the Brazilian Constitution. The Brazilian model of federalism is one of the most essential sources of the soft power and is being promoted for export.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the characteristics of the formation and the analysis of the state of the modern model of federalism in the United States of America. The object of this research is the U. S. federalism, which are the form of the government structure of the current United States, as well as the political and historical trends and regularities of the formation of the modern (so-called “competitive”) model of federal government in the U. S. The subject of this research is the forms, methods, and instruments of establishment of federal relations in the United States at the present stage. The goal is to determine the characteristics of the formation and the key aspect of the modern model of the North American federalism. The author pays attention to the fact that the federalism model of the current United States is the result of a long evolution of various ideas and concepts of organization of a complex society. It is the United State that gave the world the four classic concepts of federalism: dualistic, cooperative, technocratic, and competitive, which became the standard for federal structuring in many countries of the world. The modern federalism model in the United States, which represents a new stage in development and modernization of the competitive federalism model, undoubtedly has its flaws and contradictions. But namely the special qualities of this model ensure a determined establishment of U. S. national interests throughout the world and are the foundation of their soft and smart power.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the study of the US's role in the 2013 - 2014 Ukrainian crisis, which had led to the overthrow of the legitimate President Viktor Yanukovych and the rise to power of the right-wing anti-Russian forces, supported by the US and the EU. The object of the study is the 2013 - 2014 political crisis in Ukraine. The subject of the research is the US's role in the 2013 - 2014 political crisis in Ukraine. The purpose of this study is to identify and define the role of the United States (the "external factor") in the emergence and escalation of the political crisis in Ukraine which became fatal for the regime of Viktor Yanukovych. The author draws attention to the fact that the legitimate regime of Yanukovych was overthrown using the technologies of color revolutions designed by the Western states, primarily by the US. The research methodology is based on the system, structural-functional, comparative-political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and observation. In late November 2013, mass protest actions were taking place in Kyiv, known as Euromaidan, which had been provoked by the decision of the Ukrainian leadership (the then Ukrainian President V. Yanukovych) not to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. The Euromaidan eventually led to the overthrow of the legitimate regime and the establishment of the pro-Western government, loyal to the US. The coup and the preceding events in Ukraine led to severe consequences for the country: it actually split, as the Euromaidan hadn’t been supported by all the citizens; the mass disturbances broke out in the south-eastern parts of the country which led to the loss of the part of the territory by Ukraine (Crimea was attached to the Russian Federation); the confrontation between the Kyiv government and the south-eastern regions led to the civil war which resulted in the dozens of thousands of victims and more than a million refugees. 

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the characteristics of the formation and the analysis of the state of the modern model of federalism in the United States of America. The object of this research is the U. S. federalism, which are the form of the government structure of the current United States, as well as the political and historical trends and regularities of the formation of the modern (so-called “competitive”) model of federal government in the U. S. The subject of this research is the forms, methods, and instruments of establishment of federal relations in the United States at the present stage. The goal is to determine the characteristics of the formation and the key aspect of the modern model of the North American federalism. The author pays attention to the fact that the federalism model of the current United States is the result of a long evolution of various ideas and concepts of organization of a complex society. It is the United State that gave the world the four classic concepts of federalism: dualistic, cooperative, technocratic, and competitive, which became the standard for federal structuring in many countries of the world. The modern federalism model in the United States, which represents a new stage in development and modernization of the competitive federalism model, undoubtedly has its flaws and contradictions. But namely the special qualities of this model ensure a determined establishment of U. S. national interests throughout the world and are the foundation of their soft and smart power.

Abstract: The object of this study - the nature of pseudo-events that have taken place in the Middle East and North Africa in 2010-13. and collectively referred to the "Arab Spring", which the author refers to the color revolutions - a special technology coup with the resources and tools of "soft power", as well as events in Iraq in 2003 that ended the rule of Saddam Hussein and the all-Arab Baath political party. Subject of investigation - Scenarios and technologies of dismantling the political regimes in Libya, Syria and Iraq. The goal of this study - a comparative analysis of current scenarios and technologies of dismantling the political regimes in the color revolutions in Libya, Syria and in the overthrow of the political regime in Iraq in 2003, reformat the political regimes in the Middle East and North Africa under the Anglo-Saxon "democratic" pattern.The methodological basis of the research is a systemic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation.The author draws attention to the fact that the technology forced the dismantling of the political regimes have played a key role in the color revolutions of the Arab Spring in the Arab world in 2010-13. At the same time, individual episodes of these technologies can be traced in the second Iraq war in 2003, in which the hard power scenario of dismantling the political regime of Saddam Hussein was complemented by a wide range of "soft" power of influence. The author emphasizes that the so-called Arab Spring revolutions are color revolutions, which contains all the features of this class of technology: Technology is organizing a coup in terms of political instability in which the pressure on the government takes the form of popular uprisings and revolts, only superficially with the elemental form.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the comparative analysis of federalism in Australia and Canada. The research object is the modern federalism as the organizing principle of the Union State and the federal structure of Australia and Canada. The research subject is the similarities and differences in the models of the Federation of Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) and Canada (which is a constitutional monarchy and, at the same time, a federal state). The purpose of the research is to identify the major similarities and differences between the models of federal state in Australia and Canada.The methodological basis of the research is the system, structural and functional, and comparative political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, and observation.The author draws attention to the fact that federalism in Australia, as opposed to federalism in Canada, is more harmonious and balanced, despite the similar conditions of states creating and taking into account their common colonial past. At the same time, the Australian federalism is characterized by a number of paradoxes which differ the Australian model from the Canadian one and condition its internal inconsistency. 

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the peculiarities of formation, as well as the analysis of the current state of Indian model of federalism. The present research is the Indian federalism, which is understood as a form of government of modern India, and the political and historical trends and patterns in the formation of India's special (private) model of federal state. The subject of this study is the forms, methods and tools of formation of federal relations in modern India. The goal of this study is to identify the features of the formation and characteristics of the modern model of Indian federalism. The methodological basis for the research is the systemic, structural, functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation. The author draws attention to the fact that the India’s model of federal state is currently one of the most successful implementations of the principles of federalism within the highly organized, ethnically and religiously diverse complexly structured societies. Federalism provides the peace and prosperity of the country with nearly half billion population. The Indian model of federalism is asymmetrical and has a cooperative nature; it is based on cooperation between the center and the regions, as well as on building vertical and horizontal linkages and finding compromises. All these features of Indian federalism ensure that India progressively moves forward.

Abstract:  
This article is dedicated to the study of the role of information technology and services in the realization of scenario of the 2011 color revolution in Egypt, which carried the name of "Twitter Revolution." The object of study is the color revolution of 2011 in Egypt that led to the coup and the overthrow of the President Hosni Mubarak. The subject of this research is the forms and methods of the use of Internet technologies and services in the mechanisms of conflict management to mobilize citizens and political protest in the Egyptian Color Revolution of 2011.The author draws attention to the fact that the color revolution of "Arab Spring" threw Egypt a few steps back – deprived of its independence in making foreign policy decisions, deprived the region of stability, and encouraged the activity of terrorist organizations. The Internet technology played a crucial role in mobilization of the Egyptian youth and their involvement into the protest movement; it is the namely the youth who gave the Cairo protest movement its massiveness. The Internet, compared to the other sources of information, which represent the potential instruments of the color revolution, had more freedom in Egypt, than television, newspapers, etc. If the main emphasis in promoting and preparing the revolution was made through telecommunication, most likely the failure of the "Twitter" revolution would be inevitable.
 

Abstract: This article is devoted to the study of the features of Ukrainian foreign policy in direct relation to the state and the main stages of the evolution of foreign policy relations between Russia and the West. A key step in the development and transformation of these relations in the years 2013-15 was the Ukrainian crisis which has qualitatively changed the relations between the two countries for many years, . The article provides analysis and description of the main stages and phases of the development of the Ukrainian crisis as a projection of US-Russian relations, demonstrating the presence of a positive feedback.
Methodological bases of the research includes systemic, structural and functional, comparative-historical and comparative-political approaches, methods of induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis, observation.
The main result of the study was evidence that the Ukrainian crisis has become the key point in the system of relations between Russia and Western countries, showing that Ukraine's foreign policy is a direct projection of the state of US-Russian relations. Thus, any changes in the relations between the USA and Russia lead to an immediate response in Ukraine according to a "stimulus-response" principle on the reflex level, which is basic for external control of the Ukrainian political elite in Washington.

Abstract: This article examines the history of development of the American statehood, examples of electoral legislation, functionality of the branches of government, as well as other aspects of democratic principles and formation of their own model of government. This work presents the peculiarities of the cultural traditions and legal standards of this North American union. It is noted that namely the advantages of this model of democracy became the cause of a greater global demand for its active export. The American model of democracy has an interesting experience of establishment and development of the institution of democratic rule, as well as modernization of the postulates of pluralism of opinions and electoral law. The United States represents a North Atlantic model of democracy, which is rather different in its nature and specificity from the continental Western European model inherent in majority of the nations of “old” Europe (excluding the United Kingdom). Comparison of the North Atlantic and continental models of democracy allows us to reveal the special aspects of institutional design and functionality of all elements of the American democratic system, including useful experience that can be adopted on the Russian soil.

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to identify the role of the USA in the implementation of the dismantling of the political regimes and application of the technologies of colour revolutions in Libya, Syria and Iraq. The object of research is the policy of the United States of America to change the political regimes in the Middle East and North Africa. The subject of the study are the forms, methods and technologies for the dismantling of the political regimes in Libya, Syria and Iraq. One of the key objectives of the study is to assess the consequences of the "Arab Spring" (the results of the application of the technologies of colour revolutions by the US and its military and political allies) for the region that unites the Arab world - the Middle East, North Africa, and the evaluation of the impact of these processes on global politics four years after a temporary "freezing" (at the turn of Syria) of the wave of colour revolutions in the Arab world.
The methodological basis of the research is a systems, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation.
The author draws attention to the fact that the so-called "revolutionary" events of the "Arab Spring" have permanently destabilised the situation not only in North Africa and the Middle East, but also affected (and continue to affect) the global developments. In general, the events taking place today in the Arab world are only the first stage of systemic transformation and "reformatting" of the region, which has not been completed and will continue for several decades. The author focuses on the fact that the so-called revolutions of the "Arab Spring" are colour revolutions containing all the attributes of this kind of technologies: these are the technologies of organising a coup in terms of political instability in which the pressure on the government takes place in the form of popular uprisings and revolts, which only look spontaneous.

Abstract: This article examines the history of development of the American statehood, examples of electoral legislation, functionality of the branches of government, as well as other aspects of democratic principles and formation of their own model of government. This work presents the peculiarities of the cultural traditions and legal standards of this North American union. It is noted that namely the advantages of this model of democracy became the cause of a greater global demand for its active export. The American model of democracy has an interesting experience of establishment and development of the institution of democratic rule, as well as modernization of the postulates of pluralism of opinions and electoral law. The United States represents a North Atlantic model of democracy, which is rather different in its nature and specificity from the continental Western European model inherent in majority of the nations of “old” Europe (excluding the United Kingdom). Comparison of the North Atlantic and continental models of democracy allows us to reveal the special aspects of institutional design and functionality of all elements of the American democratic system, including useful experience that can be adopted on the Russian soil.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the study of the current state and prospects of the development of strategic cooperation between Russia and India under the crisis of the unipolar world, worsening international situation in relation to the Ukrainian crisis, chaos in international relations and the threat of colour revolutions. The object of the research are the foreign policies of India and Russia in the modern world, the subject - the Russian-Indian relations at the present stage. The purpose of research is to define the basic forms and directions of the strategic partnership between Russia and India in the context of the global political process. The research is based on the understanding that India today is one of the largest strategic partners of Russia in Asia-Pacific, West and South Asia. Methodological basis of the present study are systemic, structural-functional, comparative approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation, modelling. The strategic partnership between Russia and India today is characterised by high dynamics and is developing quite rapidly. Russia and India are traditionally united by a common sense of responsibility for international security and stability, common approaches to the ways and means of overcoming the global economic crisis, the fight against climate changes and the implementation of global governance. India is a dynamically developing democratic state, an influential regional power with a dynamic economy, more than a billion people and significant scientific and technical, industrial and technological potential. Annual GDP growth in India is nine percent, it grows at a rate comparable to the growth of China's GDP. With this, India is beginning to play a leading role in world politics, but not limited to regional level, and becomes one of the centers of political power in the emerging multipolar world.

Abstract: The present article shows the results of an analysis of the events that took place in Hong Kong in September and October 2014, accompanied by mass unrest and disorders among the local population (mainly, among students, which was later followed by locals of other age groups), when the protesters held the financial quarters (the protest "occupation" of the territory), clashed with the police, called for the resistance against the power of the "Greater China" and demaned the resignation of head of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong in an ultimative manner. The methodology of the research is based on system, structural-functional, comparative political and problem approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation, analogies and modelling.The article demonstrates that the events in Hong Kong, known as the "Umbrella Revolution", have all the signs of a colour revolution and highly correspond with the scenario of the colour revolution in Ukraine in 2014, when as a result of a coup the regime of president Yanukovich was overthrown. Attention has been paid to the schemes and features of the organisation of the youth campaigning, nomination of the leaders of the protests, information and propaganda support of the directed unrests in Hong Kong and Kyiv, both of which are certainly of deliberate and non-spontaneous nature.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the research of the current state and prospects for development of military-technical cooperation between Russia and India under the conditions of a crisis of unipolar world, escalation of tensions related to the Ukrainian crisis, chaotization of international relations, and threat of color revolutions. The current trend of collaboration between Russia and India in the area of foreign policy carries an objective character: both countries have similar (fairly close and even partially or completely aligning) views upon the formation of the new world structure. Russia’s and India’s outlook on the formation of the world structure and world order of the future, which reflects the worldview of both nations, is based upon the principle of polycentricism of the new world structure, and thus expands the possibilities for mutual collaboration in the global arena and in a regional format, in which Russia and India often present a consolidated position on the most diverse issues.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the study of the current practice of implementation of the principle of self-determination and the right of peoples to self-determination in the precedents of Kosovo and Crimea. The object of the study includes the Crimean and the Kosovo precedents. The subject of the research is the form and the methods of implementation of the principle of self-determination in the independence of Kosovo and in joining of Crimea into the territory of the Russian Federation. The methodological base of the research includes the systems approach, the structural-functional and comparative approaches, the methods of induction, deduction, observation, analysis, synthesis, simulation.The author draws attention to the fact that the considered political and legal problem of application of the right of nations to self-determination and the principle of self-determination is now especially important due to the events of 2014 in Ukraine, which led to the separation of Crimea and its subsequent accession into the Russian Federation. The author concludes that, in terms of the actual circumstances, the Crimean population certainly possessed the right to self-determination, and the implementation of this principle followed the international standards, precedents and procedures.The existing analogy with the separation of Kosovo can also be considered reasonable. 

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.

Abstract: The subject of this study is the Muslim community of Australia and its involvement in the political process, as well as the ideological motivation of the community for supporting radical extremism or, on the other hand, fighting it relentlessly. The article studies the strategies and tactics of the Australian government in their fight against Islamism and terrorism. The author draws attention to the fact that the Muslim community in Australia is quite numerous and tight-knit, and, in many ways, represents a closed community in which the preachers of radical Islam receive wide opportunities for the initiation and recruitment of followers. The methodological basis of the research is a systemic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation. This situation calls for a 'new international doctrine' that would include prevention, intervention, and restoration of mentalities to prevent any re-establishment of terrorism under different names and new generations in the future. Modern Australia does not offer the much-needed contribution in this process.The Australian Government's domestic approach to the 'War on Terror' may lead to a much more conservative Australia, and weaken the Australian values of multiculturalism. It may divide Australia rather than unite it. However, the public discussion on this issue may help the Abbott Government win a second term in office.

Abstract: This article is devoted to the evaluation of risks and threats to the implementation of the West (the United States and its closest military and political allies in the European Union), the script color revolution in Russia. Analyzes the necessary and sufficient conditions for the implementation of the scheme color revolution in Russia at the present stage of its political development, assesses the ability of the Russian government and the Russian political system successfully withstand the onslaught of color revolutions. Examines the role of the so-called non-system opposition to organize mass protest movement in Russia is the main element of the classical schemes and technologies of color revolutions.
The research methodology is based on the systemic, structural and functional, and comparative political approach.
The study author concludes that the risks of the countries of the West script color revolution in Russia continue to grow, especially noticeable on the background of devaluation of the ruble and growing economic crisis. However, the results of the study indicate that the Russian "non-systemic opposition" in principle can not be ideological and organizational driving force of color revolution, because she does not fit its parameters in the basic scheme of the Anglo-Saxon and does not meet the requirements for leaders and activists of the "color", "Maidan".

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the analysis and systematization of current scientific knowledge on the nature of color revolutions, from the so-called "Velvet Revolutions" in Eastern Europe, to the latest color revolutions of "Arab Spring", "White Ribbons Revolution" in Russia, "Euromaidan" 2013-2014, in Ukraine and the "Umbrella Revolution" of 2014 in Hong Kong. The author pays particular attention to the examination of the possibilities of repeating the scenario of the color revolution in Russia, analyzing the first attempt of the United States to destabilize the situation in Russia using the protest movement. The author concludes that the risks of the script color revolution in Russia perpetrated by the Western countries continue to grow, especially noticeable on the background of devaluation of the ruble and growing economic crisis. However, the results of this research indicate that the Russian "non-systemic opposition" in principle cannot serve as the ideological and organizational driving force for the color revolution, as by its parameters it does not fit within the basic Anglo-Saxon scheme and does not meet the requirements for the leaders and activists of the modern color revolutions.