Abstract: The article substantiates an agonistic approach to the historical memory of society, in which the latter is not a single hegemonic narrative, but a set of competing versions of the past. According to the author, the relevance of the agonistic regime of memory is connected with the fact that in the modern world the factor of mass migrations, the struggle for recognition by ethnic, racial and other minorities, the activation of regional identities introduces new mnemotic actors into the public space, challenging the established historical "canon". At the same time, an attempt to suppress counter-narratives usually causes the phenomenon of "mnemotic resistance", and therefore cannot be considered as a productive strategy. The agonistic approach to the politics of memory makes us evaluate resonant events around the Black Lives Matter movement in a different way, disputes over the concept of historical education, demands for renaming streets and squares, demolition of monuments, changes in memorable dates and holidays. The "rewriting of history" turns out not to be an existential threat to the national community, but a natural process of the nation's revision of ideas about itself. At the same time, it is fundamentally important that memorial conflicts take place within a common symbolic space, and discussions are held about the national past. This is the only way a truly inclusive version of historical memory can arise.

Keywords: national state, migration, memory modes, agonism, memorial conflicts, memory policy, historical memory, cultural diversity, mnemonic actors, Chantal Mouff

Abstract: The subject of this research is the analysis of functioning of the Internet communication platforms. Special attention is given to possibility of building typology of the Internet communication platforms. The author assumes that the meticulous analysis of their functioning mechanism and ways of interaction of the users can help structuring a fairly precise typology. Therefore, the author examines such topics as the specificity of Internet platforms, methods of creating behavioral rules, and specificity of identities presented on the Internet. Methodological foundation is Niklas Luhmann’s concept of social systems and methodology of case study that allows analyzing functionality of the Internet communication platforms. The main conclusion of the conducted research consists in possibility of structuring the typology of the Internet communication platforms based on consideration of the production mechanism and functioning of communication rules on the platforms, and mechanism of formation and presentation of identity. The four types of communication platforms are determined: 1) high level of the rigidity of formal rules, strict binding of virtual identities to the offline; 2) low level of the rigidity of formal rules; fairly strict binding of virtual identities to the offline; 3) low level of the rigidity of formal rules; moderate binding of virtual identities to the offline; 4) high level of the rigidity of formal rules, moderate binding of virtual identities to the offline. Communication platforms of the 1st, 2nd and 4th types are tied to the offline reality, and thus manifest as its addition. Communication platform of 3rd type stands against the offline reality and may enter into a conflict with the latter, which can lead to degradation of personality.

Keywords: digital technologies, typology, identity, information society, the Internet, communication area, communication platform, new information and communication technologies, communication, social networks

Abstract: The subject of this article is the socio-philosophical analysis of modern information society based on the development of computer technologies and telecommunication, as well as the content created with their help in the context of postmodernism. The analysis touches upon such aspects of social development as activity of the corporations, social interactions, subcultures, use of information technologies, and meaningfulness of the created content. The goal of this work consists in determination of regularity of the development of information society in the context of postmodernism, which includes the processes of increase and decrease of the volume of information and originated by them information space. Within the framework of the conducted analysis, the author appeals to the works of sociologist, economists, philosophers, and psychologists, specifying the commonness of social processes. The author concludes that one of the main characteristics of modern society lies in dualism of the simultaneous complication of technical devices and originated by them social structures, and simplification for the user that leads to the decrease of reflection and emotional perception of the reality. At the same time, the competition is shifted into the space of ideas and consumer perception. In result, protecting their “territories”, corporations and various subcultures encourage the increase in social disunity.

Keywords: information system, information noise, consumer society, corporation, information space, information society, postmodernism, subculture, social alienation, simulacrum

Abstract: The paper suggests the evaluation of the reforms of Russian higher schools aimed at its gradual integration into the Bologna process that has been conducted in our country since 2003. Many experts notice the divorcement of Russian universities from the solution of practical tasks, visible weakness of Russian educational system compared to the Western one when it comes to the preparation of professionals in the field of applied sciences. The subject of the article is the question whether it is true and to which extent the students and teaching staff of Russian higher schools are ready for the new opportunities. The article analyses the results of an express survey conducted by the authors among the students and the teaching stuff. Among the factors that cause vigilance in Russian experts are the low level of knowledge regarding the aims of the reform and lack of information about the measures to improve the system of higher education. It is highlighted in the article that the main goal of studying according to the Bologna standards nowadays is the creation of united intellectual space. But as the conducted survey has shown, there are two factors that block the fulfilment of this goal: low level of foreign language skills by the students and insufficient income. These circumstances make it practically impossible for the majority of Russian students to study abroad and decreases the competitiveness of the graduates of Russian universities from the point of view of potential employers all over Europe. 

Keywords: education, Bologna process, universities, competence-based approach, educational standards, fundamental projects, social institute, upbringing, teaching, scientific research

Abstract: The topic of the research carried out is the social monitoring of activity of public authorities as a form of social control in the sphere of fighting corruption. The main purpose of the research is to provide a definition of social monitoring of activity of public authorities as a form of social control in the sphere of fighting corruption. The goals of the study are the following: a) to analyze the legal definition of social monitoring used in the federal and regional legislation; b) to develop the working definition which would reflect the meaning of social monitoring of activity of public authorities as a form of social control in the sphere of fighting corruption; c) to point out new lines of research of social monitoring of activity of pubic authorities as a form of public control in the sphere of fighting corruption. The methodological basis for the study involves dialectic materialism and the general scientific cognition methods of research of social phenomena and processes based upon it. The scientific novelty of the research is due to the fact that for the first time in the Russian law literature, based on the analysis of the contents of social monitoring as a form of pubic control the author offers a new legal category ‘social anti-corruption monitoring as a form of public control’, discusses its contents and offers new prospects for further researches of this phenomenon in legal sciences including research and solution of technological and procedural issues of conducting social anti-corruption monitoring as well as development of training programs for advanced professional education of social inspectors in conduction of anti-corruption monitoring.

Keywords: corruption, fighting corruption, anti-corruption policy, public control, social monitoring, monitoring, civil society institutions, social anti-corruption monitoring, actors of social monitoring.

Abstract: The author of the article analyzes the two main explanations of social communication and its role for the society. In order to understand the relation between communication and sociality and society the author analyzes several cases (explanations of the eclipse by ancient people, the ‘Donor’ project, act of terrorism on September 11 and the phenomenon of fashion). The results of the analysis demonstrate that communication and sociality are the two sides of one whole. Moreover, the author demonstrates that under current conditions communication does not only make an independent practice but also develops in very specifi c environments, in particular, technological and institutional environments. The conducted research is based on the methods of case analysis and comparative analysis as well as cultural and methodological reenactment of particular cases that have been selected especially for the present research. As a result, the researcher demonstrates that the current explanations of the relation between communication and sociality are not satisfactory. Cultural studies and methodology explain this relation much better. Within their framework, it is possible to make a hypothesis not only about the unity of communication and sociality but also about their technological and constitutional grounds in this day and age.

Keywords: Communication, society, society, schemes, reality, institution, technology, actor, publisher, audience.

Abstract: The article tells us about the difference between the deliberative model of democracy and electoral or liberal democracies. It is shown that deliberative democracy is rather close to representative democracy and participatory democracy. The author of the article also analyzes the origin and defi nitions of deliberative democracy. The author himself describes the deliberative model of democracy as institutionalized communication between the state institution and civil society. The article describes other views on and concepts of deliberative policy, especially Seyla Benhabib’s political philosophy who related the deliberative process with the procedure of legitimization of decisions made. At the end of the article the author talks about a very important role of deliberative democracy for modern Russia.

Keywords: political studies, communication, discourse, deliberative democracy, state institution, civil society, public policy, legitimacy, government, institutionalization.

Abstract: The article studies the reasons of changing a social status and content of a modern higher education and, consequently, the role of human and, in the first place, a modern university lecturer, in this process. Professional and social features of a modern university lecturer have changed a lot over the past years due to dynamic economic development of Russia, change in its economic orientation and information expansion of the content of education at higher school as an international factor for cultural development. According to the author of the article, successful solution of many problems at higher school depends on the image of a modern university lecturer

Keywords: philosophy, system, education, higher school, economic transformations, social need, information development, university lecturer, student, content of education, society.

Abstract: The article describes the interpretation of intelligentsia in Russia and abroad and shows forms and conditions of transformation of intelligentsia in a modern society. The role of intelligentsia is described from the point of view of socio-cultural changes and evolution of socio-historical forms of social development. The general condition of all social transformations is human as a creator. In its turn, intelligentsia is a concentrated group of people who directly influence the development of culture, history and society in general. This is why humanism is the main point in interpretation, development and transformation of intelligentsia as a socio-cultural phenomena. As a result of the study, the author shares his views of transformation of socio-cultural values in modern Russia. According to the author, these transformations caused changes in the role, status, place, conditions and forms of development of intelligentsia nowadays. The results of the study create the basis for social forecasts of consolidation and disintegration social processes and define the areas of problems and social tension.

Keywords: philosophy, intelligentsia, culture, society, transformation, spirit, strategy, socio-cultural prerequisites, development, history.

Abstract: Based on Yulia Latynina’s views, the author of the article analyzes peculiarities of one of the types of social and political discourses. The author criticizes the term ‘state dependence ’ introduced by Latynina because it makes everyone feel like a social addict, i.e. someone who leads a wrong life or has a disease. The author also views the conditions for the possibility of social and political discourse: logic of reasoning, its grounds and proving methods. The author also considers the two forms of logic used by Latinina. One of them is almost Marxian: there are general social and cultural patterns followed by people whenever people realize it or not The other, subjective logic, is usually defined by a social actor’s beliefs and values. Based on examples in history (Mexican prince Tlacaelel, our tsar Ivan the Terrible, medieval struggle for the power in Europe between Popes and civil authorities), the author analyzed the connection between these two types of logic. It has turned out that on one hand, relations between personality, society and community plays an important role, and on the other hand peculiarities of the leading type of sociality and general social life conditions are important, too.

Keywords: philosophy, discourse, sociality, anomie, justice, state dependence, crisis, personality, society.

Abstract: The purpose of the article is to show the difference between conciliarism and globalism that sometimes remains undistinguished by politicians, social activists and humanitarians. At the same time, the author uses theological and culturological approaches to studying the problem. It expands the evidential base and creates a didactic effect for all church and society people. From the ontological point of view, conciliarism is the higher principle of unity because it is created by the ideal beginning. Globalism is the method of uniting based on the material beginning. Different ontology is the feature of connections in these systems, too. In global studies only mechanic and organic connections exist. Conciliarism creates the highest organic hierarchic system. Global connections are mostly material. But the main difference is that conciliarism is the unity made by the ‘God’s till’ while globalism is the unity made by the \'‘Prince of Peace’\'.

Keywords: cultural research, society, ‘subtle’ policy, theology, national unity, globalism, ontology, union, connection, fundamental nature.

Abstract: The article analyzes one of the most important aspects in history of interactions between the society ad power in the North Caucasian Region at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century related to social charity movement. The authors of the article show that, while being an element of the general Russian charity process, North Caucasian social organizations substituting government in the most important spheres of local communities’ lives have their own peculiarities.

Keywords: society, power, cooperation, North Caucasian, Russian Empire, charity activities, social organizations, social selfactivity, modernization process, legitimacy, unsolved social issues, tutorial, teaching and educational activity, the sphere of social disdain, national charity organizations.

Abstract: The author of the article studies the issues of supporting ethno-political stability in the Russian Federation. The author describes the main tendencies of development of ethno-political situation in the country and analyzes contradictions related to the federal form of government, national and administrative-territorial policy.

Keywords: political science, federalism, federative relations, ethno-national policy, Russian Federation constituent, ethno-political process, national state institution, ethnos, nation, political regional studies.

Abstract: The article analyzes various conceptions regarding the status of the parliamentary opposition and the nature of the Russian party system in 2000th. These conceptions were fi xed in a political discourse. As a result, the two particular positions seem to be evident. From the point of view of representatives of executive authority, now in Russia we have a multiparty system with one dominating party which has been typical for some Western democratic states at different periods of history. Based on the members of the parliamentary opposition and some experts, the Russian model of party relations has acquired authoritarian features which is typical for Hegemon constructs. The article views arguments and proofs of each conception presented.

Keywords: political science, opposition, hegemon party, satellite party, Sartori, United Russia Party System, political monopoly, electoral disability, dominating party.

Abstract: Entering into controversy with the followers of the cardinal transformations of the ‘ethnic culture core’ (A. Rakitov, V. Yadov and A. Davydov) the author of the article defends the idea of reformation of the society and keeping the originality of the Russian ethnos. The author places a task to prove that radical neoliberals’ attempts to ‘correct’ the cultural core of the Russian nation may lead to decomposition of the Russian transethnic synthesis. The article contains a brief review of futurological conceptions on the Russian statehood and society. Based on the author, a preferable variant of Russia’s development would be the creation of the ‘scientific knowledge society’ forming the basis of all transformation processes.

Keywords: social studies, sociality, futurology, synergetics, development, antiquity, ;protest, culture, crisis, escapism.

Abstract: The article considers the basic approaches to the study of electoral behavior in Western political science. The author of the article describes their theoretical and methodological potentials and analyzes their drawbacks. The author also characterizes the integrative research model based on the synthesis of the main postulates of the mentioned above approaches, proves its epistemic value both for Russian political research and practice.

Keywords: political science, electorate, behavior, voting, elector, party, preference, motivation, determinant, approach

Abstract: The article is devoted to the analysis of new priorities of development of communications between the state institution and society as well as peculiarities of the existing model of political communication between executive authorities. The author of the article also analyzes foreign experience of political communication and describes a number of modern tendencies and peculiarities of development of communications with the society. As a result of comparison of the domestic model with the foreign experience, the author concludes that our Russian experience of political communications agrees to modern processes of modernization policy

Keywords: political sciences, society, power, communication, feedback, interaction, dialogue, political system, modernization, efficiency

Abstract: The article shows historical traditions and present state of direct communication of multi-national population of the Republic of Bashkortostan with the higher authorities of Russia. The Institution of the community liaison office comes from the epoch of application order and numerous applications addressed for the tsar and received at the central and local state authorities. The Institution of the community liaison office governed by the chairman of the ‘United Russia’ party V. V. Putin continues the positive traditions in the history of Russia and the republic

Keywords: political sciences, application, appeal, liaison office, party, power, society, united, Russia

Abstract: Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan thought the fourth of November, 1957 to be the “birthday” of the modern globalization. It was when the Soviet satellite entered the space orbit. Back in 1960-1980th the term “global” was scarcely used. However, the theory of international relations acquired such new terms as “world policy” and “global policy”. Social and political sciences studied larger objects. Studies of Fernand Braudel and Immanuel Wallersten declared the new unit of analysis which was called the micro system on the contrary to a traditional standard unit, the national state.
Key words: political studies, globalization, expansion, localization, multi-cultural society, government, decolonization, micro system.

Abstract: As the author of this article points out, in late years in the Russian Federation the discussion of new forms of interaction between the government and the society have been topical. The social expertise of those decisions of the state that are being made is one of such forms of interaction. It is especially important to include expertise of legislative drafts, since it might allow to avoid and prevent conflicts in the society.

Abstract: The birth of politia – the 8th wonder of the world of the Ancient Greek culture is due to the Ancient Greek tribes. This article is aimed not to find the causes of its birth, but rather provides an interpretation of this term.

Abstract: As the author of this article points out, today the Internet allows to form and structure the Islamic society, to see the variety in various segments of such a society and to feel unity at the same time. It allows to form communication and forums for discussion, and to make Islam more understandable for the society as a whole, including non-Muslims…

Abstract: On March, 29, 2007 in the Independent Press Center there was held a public discussion on “Freedom of Conscience, Remedial Movement and the Political Parties”. It also included the presentation of the book “Freedom of Views, Conscience and Religion in the Modern Russia”… This article includes the stenograph of the speeches of the participants…

Abstract: The social conscience of people in Russia changed dramatically in the period from 1995 to 2005 due to abrupt change in all social spheres. There came a people with different morals – of absolute individualism and the sense that everything is allowed (even if it is legally prohibited) and at the same time of anger and unwillingness to accept unjust enrichment of some people, while most people remain in poverty.

Abstract: This article by V.B. Ryzhov is devoted to the analysis of the regional integration units (such as the EU, and the MERCOSUR), among which, as the author notes, it is possible to single out certrain similar structures, existing in different regions and to find three major typical models of regional integration. The article includes the study of the inner structure of such unions, the ways that the governing bodies of these unions are formed, their relations with the states within and outside the union.

Abstract: The article by S.E. Smirnykh contains evaluation and substantiation of a topical idea of singling out tax justice within the framework of judicial specialization reform in the Russian Federation. As the author points out, the tax courts could be a type of administrative courts, which would allow to ensure higher professionalism of tax dispute resolution, to partially solve the problem of massive caseload of existing courts, to guarantee the taxpayers’ rights more effectively. The author creates a model of tax court system, discusses necessary legal basis and he also studies experience of a number of foreign countries, such as the USA in the sphere of creation of specialized administrative courts.

Abstract: I.I. Tolibov’s article contains analysis of the system of legislation on non-commercial non-governmental organizations (NGOs), created after the Republic Uzbekistan became independent. In particular, the study concerns the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic Uzbekistan of 1992, the Civil Code of 1996, the Law “On non-governmental non-commercial organizations” of 1999, the Law “On public institutions” of 1991, the Law “On public funds” of 2003 and other laws, devoted to particular organizational forms of non-governmental non-commercial organizations. Mr. Tolibov analyzes existing defects and collisions in the legislation and practice.

Abstract: So, the Housing Code of the Russian Federation is in force. A number of its provisions causes scientific and practical discussion. The lay people also are suspicious towards it, and they feel that it might contain latent threats to their stability. The authors of this article put their share into the discussion and express their opinion on a number of most serious shortcomings of the new Housing Code of the Russian Federation.

Abstract: Right of access to the information is a key element to the participation of the civil society in the administration of a state. The authors review the provisions of the Moldovan legislation on access to information as well as the existing practice. They come to a conclusion, that, unfortunately, this right in Moldova is not completely realized. While Moldovan legislation on access to information generally conforms to the international standards, the practice shows a great number of cases of violations of relevant laws, lack of knowledge in this sphere both among the lay people and among the state officials. All of these does not allow to effectively realize the right of people to access information.