Vol. 27 No. 3 (2025)

The article examines corruption and the shadow economy as interrelated factors that exert a systemic impact on a state’s economic security. It reviews key theoretical approaches to understanding the nature of corruption. Based on a historical overview, the study traces the evolution of anti-corruption legislation in Russia from the 15th century to the present and analyzes the experience of countries that have achieved notable success in reducing corruption levels (China, Singapore, and the United States). Particular attention is given to the determinants of corruption in the Russian Federation, including economic, cultural, and institutional factors. The article highlights the need for comprehensive measures to improve Russia’s anti-corruption policies in light of modern digital challenges, as well as the importance of legal education for enhancing public legal awareness. The findings can contribute to the development and adjustment of national strategies aimed at combating corruption and mitigating the risks of the shadow economy.

The article examines corruption and the shadow economy as interrelated factors that exert a systemic impact on a state’s economic security. It reviews key theoretical approaches to understanding the nature of corruption. Based on a historical overview, the study traces the evolution of anti-corruption legislation in Russia from the 15th century to the present and analyzes the experience of countries that have achieved notable success in reducing corruption levels (China, Singapore, and the United States). Particular attention is given to the determinants of corruption in the Russian Federation, including economic, cultural, and institutional factors. The article highlights the need for comprehensive measures to improve Russia’s anti-corruption policies in light of modern digital challenges, as well as the importance of legal education for enhancing public legal awareness. The findings can contribute to the development and adjustment of national strategies aimed at combating corruption and mitigating the risks of the shadow economy.

With the globalization of the economy and the emergence of a new global order, it is still crucial to identify, replicate, and apply best practices for assisting small and medium-sized businesses across different regions to enhance the business climate. Projects that aim to improve the business climate are more effective when they use the best global practices and study business experience from other countries. It is evidently wise to research and implement adapted best practices from around the world that help to enhance the business environment in the Russian Federation. The establishment and growth of a positive business climate should be predicated on the adaptation and application of measures for the efficient regional development. The article provides grounds for the importance of implementing international best practices in initiatives to enhance the Russian Federation’s business environment.

The article investigates the development of modern state sectoral policy in Russia regarding veterinary biopharmaceuticals. The authors outlined the policy's priorities and its position within the framework of national objectives. The analysis demonstrated that raising production volume and enhancing veterinary drug competitiveness are both directly and indirectly related to the attainment of national goals. The authors examined international practice (38 investment projects announced since 2010 in 22 countries), determined standard costs for the construction of production facilities, and studied industry-specific research and development activities to evaluate the resource support for measures intended to implement sectoral policy. The authors conclude that there are enough resources available for actions meant to carry out sectoral policy goals: government expenditures backed by organizational investment will make it possible to meet the set metrics. They also mention that a review of state industry policy priorities and targeted funding, mainly for research and development, will be necessary to further improve product competitiveness, which includes expanding the product range and increasing the volume of innovative veterinary drugs.

Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part in everyday life, transforming social structures, the economy, and political processes. The latest advances in AI, particularly deep learning and generative AI (GenAI), bring new opportunities while also posing significant challenges. The article looks at the present and potential prospects of AI development, its impact on society and politics, and new threats and opportunities. The author focuses on the phenomenon of deepfakes - AI-generated videos that can be exploited to propagate misinformation and manipulate public opinion. The article also explores the risks connected with AI potentially getting out of human control, emphasizing the importance of legal regulation and international cooperation in preventing such dangers. In conclusion, the author highlights the significance of monitoring AI development while considering its benefits and drawbacks.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in public administration (making public administrative decisions, conducting legal expertise, providing public services, administering justice, etc.) calls for the creation of methodological guidelines that can be used as a roadmap for government agencies and organizations as they develop, implement, and use AI systems in their activities. The goal is to facilitate interaction in areas other than technology, such as legal, ethical, coordination, and organizational. The article examines the UK’s experience with AI technology in public administration, with an emphasis on institutional mechanisms, regulations, and guidelines that guarantee government agencies and organizations use AI responsibly and safely. It is vital to examine the accomplishments of hostile nations in the areas of AI regulation and its application in public administration. In this regard, knowledge and understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of unfriendly states is critical for ensuring the Russian Federation’s national security and interests, as well as its technological sovereignty and overcoming information asymmetry between countries.

Almost every aspect of human life is currently being digitally transformed. This is also true of the public sector, which is changing at a rate that is equal to or faster than the private sector. Thus, the public procurement system, which is implemented through Russia’s Federal Contract System, is currently a promising area for transformational action. The introduction of blockchain technology is what is driving these actions. In public administration, it is precisely this application that will improve the quality of work done by government agencies and boost the efficiency of their services, in addition to increasing operational transparency. Following a review of theoretical and practical information, the authors present their findings and assumptions. The article examines the fundamental ideas of protection and transparency as well as the possible risks of implementing blockchain technologies. The authors have created a conceptual model for a blockchain-based system that will protect data and improve transparency in public procurement.

The goal of the article is to look at the legal issues surrounding personal data protection in the context of the widespread adoption of machine learning technologies, including artificial intelligence systems, neural networks, and blockchain technology. The article focuses on the key provisions of Russian legislation and legal theory governing contemporary application of machine learning technologies in the context of protecting private information. The focus of the study is particularly significant in light of modern society's changing technological landscape. Russian legislation must be modified to reflect the development of new technologies for processing personal data. Due to the novelty of this issue, the functioning of machine learning technologies has not yet been fully governed by pertinent regulatory rules, making the article especially relevant. It highlights the critical elements of using machine learning technology to handling confidential data and emphasizes the dangers of unlawful access to personal information. The author points out the necessity of defining particular legal requirements that should consider the peculiarities of artificial intelligence systems and machine learning technologies, whose algorithms may make use of personal information about individuals. The findings are reflected in the article's recommendations for strengthening the legal framework to protect personal data and its particular legislative adjustments.

Analyzing E.V. Okhotsky’s new book, the author reflects on the transformation of state ideology in its historical dimension and within the context of contemporary social change. The article highlights the theoretical, historical, political, and legal aspects of ideology as a social phenomenon, drawing attention to the synergistic complexity of scientific worldviews, ideologies, and belief systems. It interprets the subject-functional components of the modern ideological process and reveals the content of state policy with a necessary focus on national traditional values. The study concludes that a high level of administrative culture among public officials and their understanding of the deeper meaning of state and social values, ideals, and priorities play a crucial role.

The transition to a new economic model for cities in Russia’s Far East, declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2023 Eastern Economic Forum, should put an end to the migration of people with higher education. This demographic group plays a critical role in the development of the persistently negative migration balance that is seen throughout the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD). Regional innovation systems (RIS) serve as the organizational and functional foundation for the shift to an innovation-based economy, which can resolve the issue. The change has been hindered by the Far Eastern Federal District’s tardiness in modernizing and the adoption of new technologies, as well as the present patterns of employment losses in knowledge-intensive and high-tech industries. The Russian Federation President’s decree and the National Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Far East have approved measures that will significantly change the situation. Adoption of the suggested specific modifications to the National Program will ensure a decrease in the outflow of highly skilled workforce from the Far East while also accelerating the development of functional parts of the RIS in the Far Eastern Federal District. Actual outcomes in Russian regions that are leaders in high-tech manufacturing and innovative economic development, as well as the Republic of Sakha’s (Yakutia) example of an active innovation strategy, attest to the efficacy of the suggested approaches.

Addressing the issue of preserving the emotional health of highly-qualified athletes during the career-changing phase is a crucial task within the framework of researching several socially relevant sciences. This problem is significant because the athlete’s emotional state dynamics can influence the general public, confirming the high value of sport. If a positive emotional state can inspire and motivate a healthy lifestyle and become a standard of perseverance and courage, then the consequences of emotional discomfort are the very opposite, since they become an agent of distorted ideas about the symbol of success and achievements in high sports. The article’s goal is to identify conditions that contribute to preserving the emotional well-being of higher sports athletes in the post-career period. The research methodology is based on dialectical logic techniques and the ideas of systemic, synergistic approaches. The study’s key findings include the conclusion of an integrated approach to ensure mental balance and emotional well-being for the top athletes after their careers come to an end. The identified range of problems clearly demonstrates the severity and importance of issues related to the systematic provision of state support and the preservation of the emotional well-being of sports leaders not only at the stages of their active career, but also after its completion, because they are the pride of the state, an indicator of its national heritage and the quality of life of the population.

The article discusses a pressing contemporary issue: the spread of unreliable information on the modern Russian internet. The authors examine the theoretical aspects of the fake news phenomenon, including its fundamental ideas and methods of propagation. Fake information is becoming more and more prevalent in the context of the escalating information war. As part of their research, the authors interviewed several experts and performed a sociological survey. They also looked at particular instances of how fake news affected the audience. The findings identified the primary channels of disinformation’s spread and supported the hypothesis that it has a detrimental effect on the audience’s psycho-emotional state. Based on their interviews with some experts, the authors created guidelines for recognizing and classifying unreliable online content. Fake news is meant to influence public opinion, which explains why these materials are so emotionally charged. Information presented in such messages is adapted and simplified so that the audience can understand it. This explains their quick and extensive distribution. Raising media literacy levels and encouraging the development of fundamental media literacy skills in information content consumers is crucial in this respect, as it helps in cultivating critical thinking abilities. Despite society’s collective efforts to expose fakes, the number of fakes is increasing, and it doesn’t appear that this trend will stop. However, the authors are optimistic that this strategy will still allow for some degree of Internet user protection.

The article discusses issues relevant to commercial and government organizations regarding the development of self-governance within a company. The article presents the findings of a quick survey on the benefits and drawbacks of self-governance, which indicate that enhancing employee autonomy, eliminating bureaucracy, fostering horizontal communication, and being transparent all improve employee motivation, engagement, and realization of employee’s potential. The quick survey was completed by fifty-nine individuals, including employees and company founders from seventeen Russian companies of different sizes and industries. The main benefits of self-governance, according to respondents, are greater employee awareness, engagement, and responsibility (52 %); numerous chances for both professional and personal growth (27.5 %); and greater commitment among employees and a sense of responsibility for the entire organization due to the opportunity to influence decisions (17%). The primary drawback of self-governance, according to respondents, is the slowdown (and occasionally worsening) in decision-making brought on by the numerous discussions and approvals (27 % of responses).

The article addresses the contemporary concerns about combining traditional ideals with innovative approaches in the higher education in humanities. In light of society’s technological advancement, the author examines methodological issues of finding a balance between humanization and humanitarization in education. The study emphasizes the necessity of using the country’s cultural legacy to inspire creative teaching methods while preserving moral and spiritual principles. The paper focuses on the concept of «Homo humanus» as a normative model of personality that necessitates a dialectical integration of tradition and innovation. The author offers several methodological solutions, including the application of an interdisciplinary approach, project-based learning, interactive techniques in philosophical disciplines, multimedia technologies in teaching literature, and references to the heritage of the Russian religious philosophy. Teaching methods in the humanities must foster the growth of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the capacity for analysis and self-reflection rather than just transferring knowledge. According to the author, education in the humanities serves both cognitive and axiological purposes by establishing a set of principles and values allowing people to define themselves within a cultural context. The recent studies show that effective humanities education should avoid dogmatism and pointless innovations by integrating traditional values with innovative teaching technologies.

The training of scientific and pedagogical personnel has shifted from postgraduate studies to dissertation preparation, so it is urgent to find resources for creating the institute of postgraduate training. The recent trends in cluster and business ecosystem formation demonstrate that the establishment of a network of graduate schools requires a generalization of the practice of applying these areas of strategic development to higher school organizations and creating educational ecosystems based on new principles. The authors believe that it requires the algorithm for creating a strategy for graduate studies at a higher education institution with an extensive network of branches. This includes identifying instruments for strategic analysis of external factors affecting graduate studies, developing a set of procedures for creating a branch network strategy, forming a target focus to create branch network, and determining the principles for building an educational ecosystem for branch networks. The research uses a variety of techniques, such as graphical modeling, stakeholder expert surveys, morphological matrix and goal hierarchy construction, and the categorical apparatus of strategic management of socioeconomic system evolution. The authors suggest examining environmental factors in terms of the most important issues and primary opportunities for postgraduate research. They propose an algorithm for developing a postgraduate strategy that allows for the creation of an integrated goal tree suitable for the most significant solutions, as well as the implementation of principles for building an educational ecosystem. The graduate school’s educational ecosystem allows to implement individualized educational paths for students, while the testing of the developed algorithm will enable the collection of data as part of the projects and programs that make up the roadmap for creating an ecosystem of graduate programs at university branches.