Abstract: In recent decades, the problematic of social institutions has come to the forefront in foreign and national social science. It is justified by the fact that namely the institutional environment determines the success of social interactions and utilization of resources for moving towards the evolutionary scenario of development. The author gives close attention to the existing within national and foreign discourse definition of the basic object, and critically assesses the overall state of institutional research in social sciences. The discovered disciplinary narrowness and penchant for field-specific interests despite ambitious demands advance by, for example, economic sciences, substantiate the need for detailed philosophical analysis of social institutions. The author's special contribution lies in critical assessment of the available range of theoretical material in the area of sociological, economic, legal and political sciences. The article demonstrates the continuity and overall dynamics of disciplinary research of the institutions within the discourse of social sciences. The importance of interdisciplinary consideration of problematic areas in the institutional research is emphasized. Link between the effectiveness of functionality of the institutions and cognitive characteristics is traced. The value of constructivist approach is evident due to the increasing role of ideas in social sciences. In conclusion, the author conflates the strong and weak sides of disciplinary works, anticipating future research on the development of the ultimate grounds of institutions.

Keywords: economics, sociology, institutional research, philosophical synthesis, critical analysis, social sciences, society, Institute, jurisprudence, political science

Abstract: The subject of this article is the substantiation of problematic situation that requires attention of social sciences. Rapid transition of multiple types of relations of citizens with official structures and economic agents to digital form is accompanied by contradictory consequences. The facts demonstrate that in the conditions of techworld, latent exploitation of users of digital platforms becomes the norm. This phenomenon already caught the attention of economists, media theoreticians, specialists in the area of information systems and strategic managements, but still has not become the subject of interests of social scientists. The author describes the examples of paid professional activity, which regular citizens are forced to carry out without due compensation, if they desire to use digital gadgets, platforms and various services. The differences between latent exploitation and acquisition of labor through crowdsourcing are demonstrated. A conclusion is made that the concept, according to which digital platforms exploit users “not as employees, but the audience” requires appending, since in addition to production of Big Data, the users unconsciously and without compensation fulfill actual labor functions for the corporations and “digital government”. This aspect requires an in-depth social research.

Keywords: Exploitation of labor, Digital pass, Digital society, Digital service, Digital economy, Platform capitalism, Digital platform, Digital transformation, Crowdsourcing, Ideology

Abstract: This article examines theoretical and conceptual aspects of studying political interests. This issue lies in the interdisciplinary subject field of conflict studies and political science, and has a heightened importance because interests may be viewed as impulses that put in motion all institutes of a society's political system, giving a start to social cooperation, as well as inter-group confrontation. Attention is drawn to the genesis of the interest group theory, and some aspects of the social choice concept, through which the nature of political interest is studied. The author points out and applies chief methodological paradigms of studying political interests - including normative and value-based, behaviorist, institutional, systemic and other approaches. Comparative analysis of available means and methods of study of political interests allows the author to reveal optimal methodological techniques that propel the advancement of scientific knowledge on the subject. Among them are the institutional and systemic approaches that, according to the author, allow to establish the place of political interest in the system of institutes and relations that supplement the realization of power.

Keywords: political conflict, political system, political process, social conflict, interest coordination, interest groups, political interests, social interests, collision of interests, theory of social choice

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

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

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

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