Suchergebnisse

This article presents an analysis of the socio-cultural and infrastructural transformations occurring in the southern borderland regions of the Far East: Amur Oblast, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krais. These territories were barely subject to any demarcation and geopolitical changes, with shifts occurring under the influence of economic and political factors, as well as various processes associated with globalization. Based on federal and regional statistical data, together with deep interview and focus group studies conducted in small borderland towns, certain explicit and latent issues in the socio-cultural realm were identified. This article points towards considerable differences between those overall positive changes shown by statistical data on a regional level and the actual situation in any given locale, based on how it is evaluated by residents of municipalities located right next to the border. The following parameters were used as control points for analysis: changes in the population size, the current situation with housing, fundamental infrastructure in the field of education, healthcare and facilities used for cultural-leisure purposes. The study revealed certain serious issues associated with the deterioration of existing public infrastructure, most of which was created during Soviet times. The development of borderland territories is largely dependent on successfully preventing their depopulation. In order to ensure the reproduction of the socio-cultural potential of the country's far eastern regions, and ultimately to preserve the country's unity, the population of said regions needs to increase. The development of those areas which were part of the study is largely dependent on how active their residents are. Currently the socio-cultural sphere is being preserved thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts, despite the deterioration of public and cultural infrastructure. The identified trends are inherent to all regions of Russia, though in borderland territories they bear special significance, since borderlands at the same time serve as both a defense outpost and a bridge for establishing connections with neighboring countries. A conclusion is drawn that the bulk of the borderland territories in Russia's Far East is currently in a depressive state, especially small towns and surrounding rural areas, which makes all the more relevant the need to support and aid in the development of borderland areas while taking into account their geographical, historical and socio-cultural characteristics within the spatial-territorial context.

Based on objective and subjective assessments, the article draws conclusions about the personal employment of the population of the residents of the Jewish Autonomous Region. The main demographic problems reflecting the current situation in the region are revealed. It is demonstrated that, in comparison with other Far Eastern regions, the Jewish Autonomous Region is in the position of an outsider in some indicators (for example, in mortality), and in others - in a position of a leader (for example, in reducing the growth of unemployment). The general socio-economic situation in the region testifies to the persistence of negative trends in the post-perestroika period. These conclusions are confirmed by the subjective assessments of the residents of the region, obtained in the course of a sociological study. Among the interviewees who consider themselves unemployed, there are both self-employed and economically inactive. It was revealed that about 22% of the respondents are employed in the informal sector, moreover, more than half of them are referred to as "forced-employed", since they have not been able to officially find a job. The urban population overwhelmingly prefers standard forms of employment, perceiving informal employment rather as a possible addition to the main place of work. In rural areas, the situation is the opposite, since informal employment takes the leading place, in fact performing the functions of the main employment. At the same time, the population rather passively uses the possibilities of obtaining additional income, preferring to live on benefits or to take odd jobs. The population practically does not use the opportunity to improve their qualifications or obtain an additional (new) work specialty. More than 60% of the respondents partially provide for their families, using archaic economic practices, i.e., collecting and processing natural resources (wild plants, hunting and fishing), that may indicate both a certain cultural phenomenon of the local population and a lack of financial resources in a significant part of the population. A certain mythologisation of the role of large agricultural enterprises in the development of the territory take place among the local rural population. A significant part of the surveyed rural population considers the creation of agricultural jobs to be a priority area of ​​development, despite the fact that this type of activity has never been the main one and has not brought much income to the region, given the difficult agro-climatic conditions of the region.

Background: The relevance of the study stems from the necessity to inform people about the work of the employment centers regarding the implementation of an effective state policy on the labor market. Thus, the article aims to identify the most and least popular public services provided by employment centers. This method of research on public awareness can be applied to study other public services in any city or region. Methodology: The basic approach used in the following study involved polling people on the streets of Moscow, the method of comparative and correlation analysis and statistical data analysis. Respondents were selected according to the requirements of the study, which enabled a detailed consideration of the awareness of people in Moscow regarding the public services provided by employment centers/local branches, as well as people's opinion on the quality of services provided by employment centers/local branches people applied to. Choice of the region – the city of Moscow – was made due to the highest concentration of people from different social strata, as well as representatives of different cultures. Findings: The paper presents the findings of the comprehensive study conducted during 2016 that allowed distinguishing three levels of demand for public services: - Level 1 including the most popular public service – "Assistance in job search"; - Level 2 which embraces services providing information on the labor market; - Level 3 covering public services that make it easier for people to find work. Little demand for public services "Vocational training of the unemployed" and "Career advice" prevents increasing the labor mobility in the times of crisis. The material of the article can be used in developing measures to improve the availability of information on job offers and the variety of services, as well as when preparing documents for the study of public awareness on operation of various government agencies. ; peer-reviewed