Abstract: The object of the research is the fundamental work of the famous Russian scientist of the first half of the XIX century K. I. Arsenyev "Statistical essays of Russia". The author provides a brief overview of the content of each of the essays. Special attention is paid to a detailed analysis of the history of the reforms of administrative-territorial division and public administration in the Russian Empire described in the work under study. All the changes that took place in this area from the beginning of the reign of Peter I to the middle of the XVIII century are considered in detail. Various decrees, instructions and other official acts on the management of regions are given and their significance is analyzed. The process of changes in the territorial structure of the Russian Empire and their causes are analyzed. The article highlights the division of the country into spaces proposed by Arsenyev, taking into account natural and economic characteristics. The methodology of the work is based on the principles of historicism, reliability and scientific character. A historical-comparative approach and theoretical methods such as analysis, synthesis and generalization were used. Based on a detailed study and analysis of the works of K. I. Arsenyev and especially his most famous work "Statistical Sketches of Russia", a conclusion was made about the undoubted historical and scientific value of his scientific heritage. The study of his work allows us to trace how the administrative-territorial division of Russia was improved from the beginning of the XVIII to the middle of the XIX century and state policy was changing in order to optimally manage a centralized state. Analyzing the historical decrees cited by Arsenyev, it can be concluded that the main goals of the regional policy of the empire were the political and economic integration of the country, the establishment of its social, legal and administrative homogeneity, but taking into account regional peculiarities. It should also be emphasized that the division of the territory into spaces proposed by Arsenyev was the basis for further formation of zoning ideas. Conclusions are drawn about the importance of Arsenyev's works for the subsequent development of the national school of zoning and regional management.

Keywords: reforming the administrative division, Regional management, spaces, domestic school of zoning, provinces, State regional policy, Arsenyev Konstantin Ivanovich, administrative-territorial division, The Russian Empire, Statistical essays of Russia

Abstract: The subject of this study is the discriminatory measures against Russian-speaking population, considered through the prism of the institutions of the Council of Europe in historical retrospect. The object of the study is the socio–political actions of the Latvian government in relation to the Russian-speaking population, correlated with key stages in the development of Latvian society in the post-Soviet period and geopolitical events involving the Russian Federation. Special attention is paid to the socio-political situation of the Russian-speaking population after 2022. The author examines in detail such aspects of the topic as the situation of non-citizens and Russian citizens permanently residing in Latvia, who faced increasing ethnonationalism in Latvian society, pushed by the national government and encouraged by law enforcement agencies. The study analyzes in detail the periods of tightening the policy of discrimination in Latvian society, indicating specific actions that are most aggressive today. The research is based on a historical method that allows us to consider the actions of the Latvian government during the period of Latvia's second independence, which is characterized by a policy of revanchism. Formal legal and institutional methods make it possible to analyze the reporting documents of the Council of Europe, taking into account the norms for the protection of human rights adopted in the European Community. The main conclusions of the study are the provisions that show the interrelationship of Latvia's domestic policy aimed at the Russian-speaking population, consolidating at the legislative and ideological level the attitude towards this group of the population, depending on the geopolitical conditions and foreign policy actions of the Russian Federation. This, in turn, creates favorable conditions for the Latvian political elites, who have created a modern socio-political discourse based on strengthening the position of the titular population and creating conditions for it in which the Latvian nation would feel superior. This practice is carried out within the framework of the general policy of the European Union, despite a number of institutions established to protect human rights. The ongoing geopolitical tensions allow the Latvian political elites to freely and methodically adhere to their own course of developing a policy of discrimination against the Russian-speaking population, which contradicts most norms for the protection of human rights and freedoms.

Keywords: human rights, language policy, ethnic nationalism, naturalization, titular nation, ideology, Russian Federation, Russian citizens, non-citizens, European Union

Abstract: The present paper focuses on the changes observed in the discourse of the Italian right-wing populist party Lega from 2013 to the present. During this period, the party's rating experienced phases of explosive growth, sustained decline, and prolonged stagnation. The peak of popularity was reached in 2019 when M. Salvini held the position of one of the two deputy prime ministers in the government of G. Conte, and the party achieved an unequivocal victory in the European Parliament elections with over 34% of the vote. From 2019 to 2024 the Lega played a key role in the far-right group of the European Parliament "Identity and Democracy". The main task was the deconstruction of the party's ideological drift during the leadership of M. Salvini, and an additional task was to establish the reasons that required a change in the discursive strategy and style of political communication. The study is based on the results of qualitative analysis of the party's program documents and public speeches of its leaders, as well as electoral statistics. For the first time, the transformation that the discourse of the Lega underwent after joining the center-right Italian government, which came to power in the fall of 2022, is described. It seems that the reasons for these changes should be sought in the loss of status as an opposition party, the change in world environment, and competition from partners in the governing coalition. It is noted that the attempt to revive the far-right populist discourse, with which the Lega achieved maximum success in 2019, has not been able to turn around the crisis situation in which the party has remained for the last few years. The results obtained may find further application in studies of the phenomenon of right-wing populism and political expertise.

Keywords: nativism, sovereignism, political communication, political discourse, Matteo Salvini, Northern League, League, far-right parties, right-wing populism, Italy

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify the features of the candidate's communication in social networks, identify areas of improvement and problem areas in interaction with target audiences. The subject of the study is the digital communications of candidate A. Beglov in the framework of the election campaign for governor of St. Petersburg in 2024. The empirical basis of the study was publications on the candidate's official account in the Telegram messenger in the period from August 10 to September 5, 2024. The authors pay attention to identifying the key themes and analyzing how the candidate interacts with various target groups of voters. The article also provides statistical information on the publications. The methodology includes a discourse analysis of publications using thematic, lexical and tonal analysis, as well as an assessment of the involvement of the target audience based on statistical data. The novelty of the research lies in a systematic approach to studying the candidate's interaction with target audiences through social networks, which allows us to identify both successful aspects of communication. The main conclusions of the study are to identify the predominance of messages related to urban infrastructure, social and educational projects in A. Beglov's telegram communications. A special contribution of the authors to the research of the topic is a detailed analysis of vocabulary with a positive tone, which allows us to evaluate the rhetoric of a candidate in the context of his election strategy. It is revealed that publications related to solving urban problems and improving living conditions play a key role in forming a positive image of a candidate. The linguistic features of the texts of publications contribute to creation of a positive and trusting image of the candidate, create a balanced and convincing pre-election discourse.

Keywords: Governor of St. Petersburg, discourse analysis, elections, digital communication, Telegram, electoral campaign, social media, political communication, linguistic analysis, digitalization

Abstract: The object of the study is state strategic planning, and the subject is state strategic planning in the Russian Federation at the present stage. The author examines in detail such aspects as the dichotomy between the formalized results of the effectiveness of strategic projects and feedback from the public. The effectiveness assessment based on the analysis of the achievement of indicators, measures, and cash execution set out in program documents does not fully reflect compliance with the achievement of strategic goals, since the decomposition of goals into control points is carried out not by political management bodies, but, often, by the bureaucratic apparatus. Replacing the achievement of strategic goals with the implementation of formalized measures (using the example of the implementation of the national Ecology project in the Russian Federation) is one of the challenges of state strategic planning at the current stage of its development. Special attention is paid to the analysis of promising areas for the involvement of modern artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in the processes of formation, approval, implementation and monitoring of state strategic projects in the Russian Federation and world practice. The methodological basis of the research consists of modern methods of cognition of socio-political phenomena and processes, including the institutional method (political institutions regulating the development and implementation of strategic projects), the comparative method (comparison of state strategic planning tools among themselves), the structural and functional method. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that monitoring the implementation of national projects in Russia shows a disparity between citizens' awareness of national projects and satisfaction with their implementation. The author has established that state strategic planning in various countries of the world, including the Russian Federation, plays an important role in ensuring the stability of the political system and solving purely political tasks. This may be evidenced by the connection between the definition of national priorities and electoral cycles, since, often, the declaration of updated national development goals occurs with the inauguration of a new head of state. Practical recommendations on the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies in the process of monitoring the achievement of strategic goals of the state can be considered a special contribution of the author. At the same time, the author believes that the final approval of decisions /conclusions/forecasts made with the help of artificial intelligence should be carried out by competent specialists.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, monitoring system, feedback, Public administration, performance criteria, strategy, national projects of Russia, strategic planning, state, KPI

Abstract: The article examines the specifics of the church's participation in socio-political life in the context of historical and institutional approaches. The main purpose of the article is to argue that church is not only a social, but also a socio-political institution. It is emphasized that church, being a spiritual institution, has a significant impact on the development of legislative initiatives, moral values of society and political processes, as well as represents a moral authority for the faithful flock, while supporting or opposing certain decisions. Various types of interactions between state and church are highlighted, leading to controversial interpretations of understanding the status of the latter in socio-political processes. It is argued that in allied cooperation, the joint activities of state and church have the most significant impact on the spheres of public life. The novelty of the article lies in expanding the understanding of the church's status as a socio-political institution: it examines not only its traditional roles but also new forms of interaction with the state and society amid changing political transformations. Special attention is paid to analyzing the mechanisms through which the church adapts to new challenges, its participation in shaping the international agenda, and its influence on value systems in the era of transformations. It is noted that the church, as a socio-political institution, continues to actively engage in political activities, defending its interests and values. It is asserted that the Christian church, facing new challenges, remains an important actor in contemporary international processes. The issue of the politicization of the church remains open and requires further study, as it is determined by both subjective and objective factors.

Keywords: interaction, socio-political institution, state-church relations, socio-political life, flock, globalization, electorate, politics, state, church

Abstract: The object of this study is a set of public relations that arise during the planning and implementation of prosecutorial activities. The subject of the study was the possibility of applying to the prosecutor's activities the features inherent in proactivity as a quality inherent in managerial functions. The purpose of the study was to study the features of the organization of proactive activities of the prosecutor. The choice of the object of the study is due to the recently increasing role of the work of state and municipal bodies "ahead of the curve", which is largely ensured by the strategic planning of their activities. At the same time, despite the fact that many scientific papers have already been devoted to proactivity in various spheres of public relations, the specifics of applying this term to the Prosecutor's office of the Russian Federation have not yet found sufficient coverage. The methodological basis of this study was the general dialectical method of scientific cognition, which is universal in nature, as well as methods of logical deduction, induction, cognitive methods and techniques of observation, comparison, analysis, generalization and description. Based on the results of the study, the author concludes that such activities of the prosecutor can be considered proactive, which is aimed not only at eliminating the detected violations of the law, compensating for the damage and bringing the perpetrators to the responsibility established by law, but also at preventing possible violations in the future by responding, among other things, to the causes and conditions that contributed to the occurrence of detected violations. In addition, the proactive activity of the prosecutor should be based on the principles of strategic planning, which must be used when organizing work in certain areas. In strategic planning, goals are set and the prosecutor achieve it in the supervised territory in a certain area of public relations, as well as a number of tasks and a list of activities are developed, the solution and implementation of which will achieve the set goals. At the same time, it is important that achieving the set goals and solving the tasks necessary for this is feasible for a particular prosecutor, taking into account his competence and the specifics of the supervised territory.

Keywords: Prosecutor's Office, strategic planning, crime prevention, national projects, organization of work, proactive prosecutorial supervision, proactivity, Prosecutor's supervision, National security, management

Abstract: The object of the study is the interaction of public authorities and civil structures. The subject of the study is the practice of interaction in the process of considering citizens' appeals by public authorities and civil society institutions. The author substantiates the importance of interaction between public authorities and public organizations in the process of considering citizens' appeals. Attention is drawn to the fact that in the federal laws regulating the process of reviewing citizens' appeals, there are no rules for the participation of civil society institutions in joint consideration of citizens' appeals with public authorities. The author suggests ways to improve the mechanisms of interaction between public authorities and civil society in order to effectively meet the needs of citizens and ensure their rights and legitimate interests, and the development of the country.  The research methods are institutional analysis, analysis of documents related to citizens' appeals and identification of reactions to them from authorities and public organizations, comparative analysis of the practice of considering appeals, logical method, generalization method, monitoring. The scientific novelty of the study is the generalization of the practices of joint consideration of citizens' appeals by civil society institutions and public authorities and the justification of rational mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of this activity. The main conclusions of the conducted research are the facts that the joint consideration of citizens' appeals is one of the ways of interaction between public authorities and civil society. Joint consideration of appeals provides for the participation of non-profit organizations, experts and volunteers in the discussion of complaints, applications and proposals of citizens. This allows for a more objective assessment of difficult situations among citizens and contributes to making the right decisions. Such interaction makes it possible to increase the level of trust in the state.The main contribution of the author to the research of the topic is the addition of a database on effective practices of interaction between civil society and government.

Keywords: public organizations, Ministry of Education, The Investigative Committee, interaction, The Popular Front, public councils, public authorities, civil society, citizens' appeals, volunteers