Inter-Regional Socio-Economic Polarization and Development of Some Proposals for its Reduction (on the Materials of the Central Federal District)

Abstract

Purpose: The article sets out the theoretical foundations of interregional differentiation, determines the relevance of scientific research, as well as the need to smooth out socio-economic differentiation due to the fact that high differentiation leads to social tension in problem areas and inhibits economic growth, and very low differentiation excludes competition between regions for resources and eliminates incentives for development. Methods: The phenomenon of polarization was considered on the example of the regions of the Central Federal District and the impossibility of its complete elimination for objective reasons was explained. At the first stage, an analysis of the dynamics and comparative assessment of the potential of the subjects was carried out, the level of interregional differentiation was studied on the basis of certain indicators reflecting the social and economic aspect of society. The authors attempted to develop a mechanism for smoothing socio-economic polarization. At the second stage of the research, the aggregation of regions was ranked according to the degree of socio-economic development based on cluster analysis using the specialized program Statistica. The authors chose a technique that involves the presence of five groups with different regional potentials. Results: Based on the results obtained, measures were proposed to eliminate the high differentiation among the regions of the Central Federal District, and opportunities for economic growth of a number of subjects were identified. Conclusions: For example, the authors determined the insufficiency of state measures to regulate polarization at the moment, and also determined the need for regulation at the subregional level of government. The priority of the development of the studied subjects is the adoption and implementation of measures of social support for the population. A promising direction in the development of the socio-economic structure of the Russian Federation is the transition to a qualitatively new level – in the group of developed countries.