Publications

This article begins with a brief discussion of the background of the USSR/Russia rapprochement with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization (GATT/WTO) and some of the acute problems of the negotiation process. It is argued that the Russian Federation has received acceptable, balanced conditions of membership. The advantages gained during the first years of WTO membership are listed, both for the national economy and in the foreign arena. However, it is shown that, 10 years later, the benefits of membership are significantly lower in comparison with initial projections. This gap is attributed to the state of the Russian economy and the extinction of the continuing economic model based on the extraction and export of raw materials. The Russian economy needs real structural reforms and modernization, which would change the structure of exports in favour of finished products and modern services. Only in this case can the benefits of WTO membership increase significantly, justifying the original forecast. The article concludes with a discussion of current challenges in the world economy and trade, the crisis experienced by the WTO, and the active position of the Russian Federation on the future reform of the WTO.

The investigation of urea ammonium nitrate solutions (“UAN”) from the Russian Federation, initiated on July 20, 2021, is seen by the competent authorities of the United States as an opportunity to comment on the Russian Federation's status as a market economy country under antidumping duty laws. Leaving aside questions of any political motivation behind the decision to revisit Russia’s status, it is hereby submitted that a proceeding of this kind may serve as a negative precedent of abusing a tool otherwise used to combat unfair competitive practices by turning it into a method of discrimination.

The development of alternative energy is considered as one of the ways to reduce the environmental pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. In Russia, the current level of development of alternative energy is not high. Russia requires the regulatory mechanisms that would contribute to the development of this energy sector. The objective of the article is to analyze and determine the directions for improving state in"uence by creating regulatory mechanisms for the development of alternative energy. In this work, the following scienti!c research methods were used: data analysis, study of statistical data, and analysis of literary sources. The role of alternative energy has been determined since it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change. In the world, this determines the development, considering international agreements and the implementation of the national policies of many states in this regard. Alternative energy has not been suf!ciently supported in Russia, many researchers have doubts about the effectiveness of supporting such projects. Prospects for further research are related to further study of the dynamics of the alternative energy development, as well as the study of government decisions in this area.

This paper analyses the ideational interaction underlying attempts at regional integration and cooperation in Eurasia. While the ideas and values of the European Union have been relatively well-studied within the theory of Europeanisation, the key concepts, ideas, values and principles driving Eurasian regionalism have remained out of the main focus of Western scholarship. This paper aims to shed more light on this ideational basis of Eurasian regionalism by unveiling the discourse developed in Russian scholarship and available only in Russian. Understanding interactions between institutions will always remain partial as long as the ideational interaction is not addressed. Such concepts as ‘integrative mentality’, as a segment of the wider category ‘foreign policy mentality’, and the theory of neo-Eurasianism have been incorporated into Russian political discourse and therefore affect public opinion through specific interpretation of economic, political and cultural processes in the EU’s near neighbourhood and the EU as an actor. The analysis presented in this paper indicates the development of new ideational competition, in addition to the well-documented geopolitical one. The paper also aspires to contribute to emerging research on public support to governmental strategic choices and self-legitimation of international organisations in Eurasia.

This article examines the evolution and potential of the water agenda of BRICS. The members of this international association of major countries of South America, Eurasia, Asia and Africa are rich in water resources and population. The development of water resources extends beyond their borders to projects in other countries through the activities of a major development institution, the New Development Bank of BRICS. Such conditions suggest some anticipation of a global and comprehensive view on the part of BRICS on the issues relating to water resources. However, the hypothesis of this article is opposite: despite the unique potential of the BRICS water strategy, it remains non-specific, focused on the lower common denominators for the member countries such as cleanliness, sanitation and water management. To account for this, the authors take the position that the bureaucratic logic of basic common interest downgrades strategic vision. This is reflected in the growing gap between the multifaceted nature of the issues related to water resources in the world and the narrowly specialized approach of BRICS association which perceives water de facto without its resource and global function. To study this, the authors analyze the water portfolios of the BRICS member countries and compare the national water agendas based on an analysis of policy documents. They then systematize water initiatives under the auspices of the BRICS and, finally, calculate virtual water flows and their structure between the BRICS countries using agricultural products trade as an example. The conducted analysis allows the authors to identify a wide gap between the current and potential water agenda of the BRICS. The authors then propose a number of initiatives that can create added value for the BRICS as an association both for its member countries and for developing countries facing water resource challenges. The authors assert that such a new approach, based on a profound understanding of the resource function of water as a commodity with global value, has all the potential to be implemented by BRICS.

The informal BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is actively working to solve the most acute global problems. This is why opportunities for implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at BRICS summits is a topic for urgent research. This article discusses the prospects for achieving SDG 17.11 by the least developed countries (LDCs) in the framework of mutual trade with BRICS. SDG 17.11, unlike other goals, was expected to be achieved in 2020, but World Trade Organization (WTO) estimates for 2018 showed that progress was too slow. Against the sharp drop in international trade in 2020 due to economic shutdowns, the implementation of this goal is especially high on the agenda. This article describes the current implementation of the SDG by BRICS. A general analysis of mutual trade between LDCs and BRICS shows the low involvement of least developed countries in trade with BRICS. The methodology for the study involves computations of two trade indices and the identification of new clusters of LDCs. The export propensity index and trade intensity index are calculated in order to identify the countries with the most promise to increase exports to BRICS. The authors selected 13 LDCs with prospects for trade development with BRICS—Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Guinea, Mauritania, Nepal, Tanzania, Zambia, Bhutan, Lesotho, Malawi and Solomon Islands. Among 34 other LDCs, the authors identify five clusters based on their economic structure, including the role played in their economies by official development assistance (ODA) and personal remittances. Clustering allows BRICS to provide targeted support to LDCs in order to increase their export potential through the most effective mechanisms for each economy.

The Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) as a legal format of trade between countries has been actively developed within the last decades. Russian involvement in RTAs until recently was weak. However, after the EAEU creation in 2015, trade policies of the member countries have changed. Setting up the RTAs has become an important priority of the EAEU’s common trade policy. In this study, the assessment is made of the significance for the Russian domestic policies of the signed and planned FTAs. The focus of the methodology of the study lies in computations of three trade indices: export significance index (suggested by authors and based on the revealed comparative advantage index), trade intensity index and symmetric trade introversion index, which were calculated for the totality of trade partners of Russia for 2018 (192 countries)) in order to identify the most promising countries to conclude new FTAs. Authors come to a conclusion that the already signed Russian RTAs and newly planned Russian common FTAs on behalf of the EAEU do have a visible amortizing effect for international trade flows. Another important result of the study is that it provides the list of the first-priority countries for the new-coming FTAs for Russia and the EAEU partners in terms of efficiency in generating trade and in terms of safeguarding stability of the existing trade flows, that are - Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Republic of Korea and Mongolia. The authors suggest to make similar calculations for other countries to support the revealed pattern.

The article presents the results of a study, the aim of which is to investigate the dynamics of the development of Russian higher education institutions based on an analysis of their performance indicators. The sample includes 535 universities from 80 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. It presents the results of the clustering of universities on the basis of changes in indicators of six variables characterizing the key areas of activity of universities for the period from 2013/2014 to 2017/2018 academic years. The characteristics of each cluster are described, an inter-cluster comparison of quantitative indicators of the activities of universities is presented.

As a result of the calculations of the average annual growth rates of six key indicators characterizing the activities of universities, fve clusters were identifed that differ in their development trajectories. Thus, the universities that belong to Cluster 1 over a fve-year period retained or improved their positions in the main areas of educational activity and managed to maintain income growth at an average level.

However, their indicators in such areas as international and research activities, as well as infrastructure development (provision of educational and laboratory facilities) have decreased. In universities from clusters 2 and 3, all performance indicators changed in a fairly balanced way. At the same time, the indicator of an increase in the internationalization of the students’ body was signifcantly higher in Cluster 2, while educational organizations from Cluster 3 showed a signifcant increase in the publication activity of academic staff.

The results of the activities of universities in Cluster 4 were positive in all considered areas. This cluster had the highest average annual growth rates in the average Unifed State Exam (USE) score and publication activity of the academic staff. Educational organizations from Cluster 5, on the one hand, achieved the best results in attracting foreign students, increasing the proftability of their activities and the provision of teaching and laboratory facilities but, on the other hand, their average annual growth rate of the average USE score has signifcantly decreased.

The study represents one of the frst attempts to cluster Russian universities based on the analysis of changes in their performance indicators. Previous studies on the clustering of universities were mainly based on the analysis of one-time indicators. The approach proposed by the author makes it possible to compare indicators of the dynamics of development of higher educational institutions of different size and scope. Further research in this area could be aimed at analyzing a larger number of performance indicators of universities and studying in detail their strategies for a deeper understanding of the reasons for the differences in their effectiveness.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is one of the leading institutions involved in global economic regulation. Its purposes are to ensure multilateral cooperation on the liberalization of international trade, harmonize existing standards and requirements, and peacefully resolve trade disputes between countries. Since 11 December 2019, dispute resolution has been handicapped due to the consistent blocking of the appointment of members to the WTO Appellate Body (AB) by the United States. This has reduced the multilateral trading system’s (MTS) predictability and threatens its final decay.

The purpose of this article is to describe the fundamental and formal causes of the collapse and to discuss the circumvention mechanisms and their effectiveness. At the same time, an assessment is given of the possibility to overcome the collapse in 2021, considering the change of the U.S. president and other events. Special attention is paid to Russia’s position and its current and potential losses. Finally, the issue of dispute resolution through regional trade agreements is proposed for discussion.

The fundamental reasons for the collapse were the shifting balance of power in the world order and the WTO’s inflexibility in adjusting the rulebook and its procedures. There are long-standing, objective reasons for the U.S.’ dissatisfaction, but the blockage of the AB is an overreaction. These reasons are now being used to justify the blockage of the AB in order to gain leverage.  Moreover, the U.S.’ position on this issue has not changed with the new president.

There is abuse of the current situation as WTO members file appeals “into the void.” Existing tools to circumvent the collapse are partial and not yet popular among WTO members. Russia needs to resume the AB’s work to complete previously started high-profile disputes and to defend its interests in the future.

The number of free trade agreements (FTA) in international trade is rapidly growing and it makes them the main tool for countries’ trade liberalization. Created in the 2015, the Eurasian economic union (EAEU), that has the competence of the customs union, also started actively building a network of FTAs. To date, four such preferential agreements and one non-preferential trade agreement are in force, and at least three other agreements are expected to be signed in 2020-2025. 

Some specific features can be attributed to the emerging network that will impact the economic development of the EAEU Member States and will allow its partners to adapt their foreign trade policies accordingly. The geography of the EAEU agreements demonstrates the intention to create a wide network of FTA covering primarily the Eastern hemisphere, with the potential to extend it to all major regions. The EAEU partners are generally small States and not the strongest economies, and the content of FTA agreements is not yet as broad and deep as, for example, concluded by the EU. It is noteworthy that the system almost does not contain WTO-extra provisions. However, the EAEU is only at the beginning of building an FTA network that may change the EAEU position in the international trade system.

The main goal of the article is to track the distinct features of this new EAEU trade policy and to identify specifics and prospects for the emerging FTA network, based on the already concluded agreements and the coming ones.

This paper continues the series of papers published in the magazine, which analyzed the challenges of global crises in terms of their impact on the world politics and international relations. The authors highlight several features the pandemic crisis of 2020-2021 has, in particular the «global empathy», violation of the spatial logic of globalization, the spread of «infodemics», etc. The paper presents an extensive overview of current research on the Corona Crisis through the prism of social sciences. The common understanding of all the risks and dangers generated by interdependence, fragility of the transit world order, democratic institutions, and the inevitability of the common fate of humankind dictate the need for transnational cooperation, reforms in global governance, regional integration, and greater legitimation of supranational factors. The authors emphasize the importance of the «global health» category in international relations and its growing influence on the world order. It is emphasized too that the planetary risks derived from the ongoing crisis are inherently political. The coronavirus pandemic provides a compelling basis for bringing anti-crisis policy to the forefront of research in the whole range of «crisisology disciplines» like political science, world economy, global studies and environmental political studies, social psychology, international relations, political forecasting, and theories of sustainable development. The authors focus on the emerging opportunities for Russia, the implementation of which is associated with maintaining biotechnological leadership in the development of vaccines and its transformation into the improved international standing, trust, and soft power.

In the last decades, the importance of trade in services in global trade flows has grown from strength to strength. This trend has stimulated the proliferation of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements aimed at ensuring equal and fair access for service providers to foreign markets. The Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are no exceptions to this global trend and strive to ensure free trade in services with foreign partners as a part of trade policies. This article analyzes theoretical and practical aspects of implementing the provisions on trade in services of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the EAEU and Vietnam, specifically applied to Russia and Vietnam. The results of the agreement’s implementation are instrumental in formulating the main contributions of the strategy that will increase the efficiency of future agreements on trade in services between the EAEU and foreign partners. The following strategy has already been applied to the example of service sector cooperation between Russia and Singapore. The emphasis of the study is quite universal, and the contributions of the strategy are applicable to other regional associations.

Th e article analyzes the impact of improved domestic regulation on international trade in services and other economic indicators. Th e countries tend to include provisions of domestic services regulations in regional trade agreements. Th e particular aspects of negotiations on domestic services regulation disciplines under the World Trade Organization (WTO) are considered. Th e diffi culties of integrating the results of negotiations into the legal system of the Organization are revealed. It is justifi ed that the peculiarity of the decision-making mechanism in the WTO- the requirement of consensus by all 164 members of the Organization - was one of the causes of the multilateral negotiations format crisis. Th e global economy and trade have faced an unprecedented challenge, viz. the spread of the coronavirus infection. Th e crisis was peculiar due to the countries’ decision to impose severe restrictions on the cross-border fl ow of goods, services and labour. Russian trade in services has also been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, even more than many other countries. Th e article notes the importance of disciplines on domestic regulations to increase exports of services and improve other fundamentals in Russia. Th e author concludes that regardless of the results and timing of the completion of negotiations on domestic services regulations, Russia should continue to reduce “technical” barriers to trade in services. Greater regulatory transparency would ensure stability and business environment sustainability, as well as improve the effi ciency of the services sector and the economy as a whole.

The article examines the complexities of the negotiation function of the WTO, in which consensus in decision-making plays an important role. The author systematizes the possibilities and limitations for incorporating the results of plurilateral negotiations (i.e., with a limited number of participants) held within the framework of the so-called joint statement initiatives into the organization's law. The article also analyzes the prospects for integrating specific joint initiatives (internal regulation in services, simplification of investments in development, e-commerce) into the WTO system. The article emphasizes that despite standard features, all initiatives are unique in their content, format, and history and are at different stages of readiness, for Russia, which takes an active part in these joint initiatives, bringing the negotiations to a conclusion. The article criticizes joint initiatives from their primary opponents (India and South Africa), who insist that plurilateral initiatives' participation ignores existing multilateral mandates reached by consensus. Thus, they destroy the multilateral system. The purpose of the article is to review conceptual and practical approaches to forming new trade rules in the WTO system in the context of the multilateral crisis. The author concludes that plurilateral agreements can become a way out of the crisis in the negotiation function of the WTO, as well as the basis for future trade agreements in the system of organization. However, for plurilateralism to be effective and sustainable, it must be linked to multilateral norms and principles. Any plurilateral approach must allow flexibility in forming the basis for negotiating trade rules at multilateral level. It seems that if in the near future the WTO does not take decisive actions to adjust the rules and procedures for the new agreements, the prospects for advancing negotiations and maintaining the relevance of the leading institution of the international trading system will become even bleaker.

It is shown that active processes of digitalization and development of creative industries form new trends of the world economy development. Possession of the right to use IP, in particular the results of the latest scientific research and technological developments (especially in the field of artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, blockchain, processing 

large databases, quantum computing systems, cloud technologies, etc.) significantly expands the capabilities of the owner of IP rights in world economy, its participation in global value chains. Intellectual property is becoming not only the main instrument of socio-economic development, but also the center of global technological confrontation and a fierce struggle for the right to own it, a significant factor of success in geoeconomic competition. The main long-term trend in the development of world IP markets is the dynamic growth of the volume of commercial transactions with goods and services containing IP objects with a significant expansion of the range of the latter.

The IP market is growing at a rate exceeding the rate of growth of “material” markets. The country- leader in the number of valid patents for a long period is the United States. The main competitor for the United States is China. Among the main technological trends, the development of the IP market in terms of assistive technologies should be highlighted, which allow producing products according to digital description anywhere in the world. A large share of the IP markets is occupied by trade in licenses. It is shown that for the further successful and effective development of IP markets, it is necessary to take into account the prospects for the functioning of IP markets and the movement of goods containing IP objects in a new technological order.

The article presents the results of a study based on statistical methods for analyzing trends in the Russian higher education system over the five-year period preceding the global crisis provoked by the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19. This study is one of the first attempts at a large-scale analysis of the growth rates of the performance indicators of universities in recent years. Its results, according to the author, make it possible to form both a general picture of changes in Russian higher education and a detailed picture for individual groups of universities.

The author has analyzed the dynamics of six indicators of the activity of organizations of higher professional education (535 universities from 80 constituent entities of the Russian Federation): the passing score of the Unified State Examination (USE), the qualifications of academic staff, their publication activity, the internationalization of the student body, the profitability of activities and the provision of educational and laboratory premises. Trends in the change in the values of these indicators are revealed depending on the form of ownership, specialization and status of the university.

It was found that, in general, the average values of the indicators for five years increased: the passing score of the USE - by 5%; the share of the teaching staff with an academic degree in the total number of teaching staff - by 5%; the number of publications per one scientific and pedagogical worker (SPW) - 2.2 times; the share of foreign students in the total number of students - 1.5 times; profitability of activities - 1.3 times; the total area of educational and laboratory premises - by 8%.

At the same time, in non-state universities, the USE passing score has decreased, and they lag behind state universities in terms of growth in the publication activity of the teaching staff and the internationalization of the student body. However, their results are higher in terms of the growth of profitability of activities and provision of educational and laboratory premises.

Specialized universities have achieved an increase in the indicators of the publication activity of academic staff and the internationalization of the student body. Among the negative trends, a decrease in the passing score of the USE in medical universities, as well as in the equipment of teaching and laboratory facilities of medical and sports universities, was revealed.

The highest growth in the publication activity of SPW was observed in national research universities (24.5%), and in the internationalization of the student body - in federal universities (33.3%).

Changes in the operating conditions of universities during a pandemic are likely to have an ambiguous effect on the analyzed indicators in subsequent periods. For their adequate assessment, it may be necessary to adjust the methodology for calculating indicators of the activity of higher education institutions, taking into account their intensive use of distance learning technologies.