The article presents the results of a research aimed at identifying the level of proficiency in the use of ICT tools (ICT skill levels) among employed and unemployed and also generational groups (youth, middle and older generation), as well as identifying the quality of employment and income depending on the level of ICT skills of employed and their generational groups. The author's classification of the ICT skills levels is presented and, on its basis, a quantitative identification of the ICT skills levels among the employed and unemployed is carried out. It was found that among the employed, 40.5% have the ICT skills required for work, including 1.8% are distinguished by the presence of specialized skills corresponding to the third (highest) level, the remaining 59.5% have basic ICT skills. Among the unemployed, compared to the employed, the share of those with only basic ICT skills not related to professional activity (75.1%) is significantly higher, while the share of those with the third (highest) (0.9%) and second (24.0%) the level of ICT skills, on the contrary, is lower relative to the employed. Generational differences in the levels of ICT skills among employed and unemployed were revealed. Among the youth, the proportion of those who possess the highest ICT skills and have realized their labor potential is higher than for the employed as a whole and their other generational groups. Estimates of the distribution of employed and their generational groups according to the level of income from the main employment, determined on the basis of original system of social standards, depending on the level of ICT skills, are obtained. As a result of the research, it was revealed that a higher level of ICT skills increases the chances of realizing the existing labour potential. Meanwhile, as higher the level of ICT skills, the greater chances of "converting" them into higher incomes due to employment. It is shown that implementation of labour potential in the labour market with a higher level of ICT skills determines lower risks of reducing the quality of employment, and also increases the chances for employed people to ensure higher standards of material prosperity in their households.
The article presents the results of a research aimed at identifying the level of proficiency in the use of ICT tools (ICT skill levels) among employed and unemployed and also generational groups (youth, middle and older generation), as well as identifying the quality of employment and income depending on the level of ICT skills of employed and their generational groups. The author's classification of the ICT skills levels is presented and, on its basis, a quantitative identification of the ICT skills levels among the employed and unemployed is carried out. It was found that among the employed, 40.5% have the ICT skills required for work, including 1.8% are distinguished by the presence of specialized skills corresponding to the third (highest) level, the remaining 59.5% have basic ICT skills. Among the unemployed, compared to the employed, the share of those with only basic ICT skills not related to professional activity (75.1%) is significantly higher, while the share of those with the third (highest) (0.9%) and second (24.0%) the level of ICT skills, on the contrary, is lower relative to the employed. Generational differences in the levels of ICT skills among employed and unemployed were revealed. Among the youth, the proportion of those who possess the highest ICT skills and have realized their labor potential is higher than for the employed as a whole and their other generational groups. Estimates of the distribution of employed and their generational groups according to the level of income from the main employment, determined on the basis of original system of social standards, depending on the level of ICT skills, are obtained. As a result of the research, it was revealed that a higher level of ICT skills increases the chances of realizing the existing labour potential. Meanwhile, as higher the level of ICT skills, the greater chances of "converting" them into higher incomes due to employment. It is shown that implementation of labour potential in the labour market with a higher level of ICT skills determines lower risks of reducing the quality of employment, and also increases the chances for employed people to ensure higher standards of material prosperity in their households.
The article examines the most important social consequences of the 30-year capitalist transformations in Russia. The authors carried out the periodization of the stages of transformations. It is proposed to consider three heterogeneous stages: 1) 1991–1999 — liberal-oligarchic reforms; 2) 2000–2013 — strengthening of the state-capitalist orientation of reforms while preserving their liberal-capitalist foundations; 2014 — present — consolidation of state capitalism. Despite the significant differences between these stages, they are united by a decrease in the level and quality of life of the main segments of the population while maintaining high social inequality and separating the interests of the ruling "elites" from the needs of the majority of the country's population. The results of 30 years of capitalist reforms are summarized in four areas: (1) the quality of employment; (2) standard of living; (3) housing provision; (4) demographic consequences. It is proved that for a long enough period of capitalist transformations, the social expectations of the majority of the population in improving the level and quality of life have not been justified. There are high levels of precarious employment and the unstable material situation of workers' households; an increase in poverty in terms of income used for consumption and socio-economic inequality; excessive indebtedness of the population; chronic housing poverty and high gaps in housing provision; depressing demographic consequences of capitalist transformations. The general conclusion is made that the internal and external conditions of Russia's development predetermine the need to change the course for the continuation of capitalist reform, in whatever forms it is carried out in the future. It depends on whether the future of the peoples of Russia will be successful.
This article deals with the issue of the impact of universal basic income (UBI) on the standards and quality of life of population, highlights some theoretical and methodological aspects of its introduction, characterizes the current state of research on this issue and the experience of other countries. It presents the basic conceptual provisions of the scientific study conducted by the authors, which are aimed at the theoretical and methodological substantiation of the idea of introducing universal basic income in Russia, its forms, tools and possible application mechanisms for transformation of the processes and structures of the functioning of the labor and employment sphere, development of human potential, reduction of absolute monetary poverty and excessive socio-economic inequality, that meet modern technological challenges and lead to improving the standards and quality of life of people and the sustainability of the state and society. The presented study is of high significance due to influence of the category "universal basic income", practical forms, tools and mechanisms of its application on the essential aspects of the life of people, on the expected improvement in their standards and quality of life and the sustainability of the state and society. It will contribute to formation of the scientific, organizational, instrumental and documentary basis for implementation of pilot projects at the regional level, where transitional forms of universal basic income relevant to Russia can be tested. Testing UBI in Russia is of a particular relevance because of the widespread precarious employment, high poverty rates and excessive socio-economic inequality in our country.
The article provides an overview of special sources, research results, ideas and discussions in the following areas related to formation of consumer basket (CB): 1) methods of forming consumer baskets in the Russian Federation and abroad, their advantages and disadvantages; 2) composition and standards of consumption of goods and services that may be recommended to meet the basic needs of the population; 3) approaches to defining the relationship between the actual consumption of goods and services by low-income population and the composition and standards of consumption of food, non-food goods and services in CB; 4) minimum state guarantees, which should be linked to the cost estimation of CB; 5) advantages and disadvantages of the current method of forming a living wage CB; 6) new research directions and proposals for changing the CB composition and regulatory framework, ways to determine their cost and impact on the level of satisfaction of the population's needs forfood, non-food products and paid services, their comparison; 7) comparison of the CB cost, resulting from different approaches to its definition, the size of minimum state guarantees and actual monetary income: modal, median and per capita; 8) alternative approaches to setting the limits of monetary income for determining the state guarantees of minimum monetary income, advantages and disadvantages of their use in the Russian Federation. Conclusions and recommendations are proposed that could contribute to formation and introduction of a science-based CB in 2021 in order to improve the standards and quality of life of Russian citizens. The article consists of two parts. The First part of the article addresses the first two of these areas related to formation of CB.