General Crisis Research Articles

Урбанизация российского Дальнего Востока: Амурская область в 1989–2019 гг.

Introduction. Accelerated development of the Far East has been — and still is — one of the main priorities of Russia’s regional policy in the 2010s. The cities and urban agglomerations of the region are proclaimed by the Russian government as key basic points of further economic growth in this part of the country. At the same time, despite the efforts of the federal and regional authorities, the processes of urbanization in most regions of the Far East are still in crisis. Goals. The study aims to analyze the results of the Soviet urbanization in Amur Oblast and the dynamics of urbanization processes in the region over the past three decades. Materials and Methods. Analyzing official statistical data, as well as statutory instruments at the national, regional and local levels, the paper uses a set of general scientific methods, the statistical method, and special methods of historical research, in particular, the problem-chronological one. Results. The entire system of urban settlements in Amur Oblast experienced a dramatic socioeconomic, infrastructural and demographic crisis in the 1990-2010s. Even the first half of the 1990s witnessed a weakening of urbanization processes and an outflow of population from the region caused by the restructuring and crisis of production, the weakening of state social policy, a decrease in investments in the engineering and household development of territories, and insufficient solution of housing problems. In the structure of urban settlements, the greatest changes have affected workmen’s settlements most of which have lost the prospects for industrial development. In the early 2010s, the development of urban settlements in the region was still constrained by a number of economic factors (the regional budget deficit and its dependence on federal subsidies, the ongoing production crisis of most of the city-forming enterprises, etc.). Large infrastructure projects in the region (construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Power of Siberia gas pipeline, Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean oil pipeline, creation of advanced development areas) have supported urban settlements of the region’s industrial center in the 2010s. However, cities and towns in the north of the region have not received tangible sources of growth as a result of the Baikal–Amur Mainline project crisis. Conclusions. By the end of the 2010s, the general crisis of urbanization processes in the region resulted in that the network of urban settlements acquired more linear features — along the Trans-Siberian railway line — that be accompanied by concentrate resettlement towards Blagoveshchensk.

BEM VIVER:

Resumo: Desde os primórdios da colonização, a América Latina encampa a condição de continente subalternizado à epistemologia ditada pelos países ocidentais. A interculturalidade, a sabedoria mística e as manifestações jurídicas plurais dos povos do Sul, há muito silenciadas, ganharam, porém, novo fôlego a partir dos processos constitucionais do Equador e da Bolívia. Partindo desse cenário, o presente artigo analisa se o constitucionalismo andino tem o condão de fomentar uma outra proposta de desenvolvimento para a América Latina. Lançando mão do método dedutivo e das técnicas bibliográfica e documental, incursiona de forma crítica pelas abordagens do desenvolvimento enquanto crescimento econômico e do desenvolvimento sustentável, e recupera os principais aspectos das Constituições do Equador e da Bolívia. A conclusão é no sentido de que constitucionalização do Bem Viver e a positivação dos direitos da Natureza evidenciam a busca pelo desenvolvimento como liberdade e de harmonia na relação entre ser humano e planeta Terra.

Monitoring of administrative accounts regulating tourist activity in Russia (on the Example of social network “Vkontakte”)

Introduction . This article presents the sociological monitoring results of the official public authorities’ accounts effectiveness. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in 2020 forced most businesses and organizations to move their activities online. For organizations working with different public groups, representation in the digital space is an urgent need. Since in the current conditions the ability to quickly reconstruct the formats of communication activity has become crucial, social networks turn out to be a key business resource. At the same time it is obvious that government agencies, which under normal circumstances are more reactive than commercial structures and NGOs, have not shown the same effectiveness in internet communications. The authors set a research task is to collect information about the activities of federal and regional bodies responsible for the development and management of the tourism industry in official representations in the online space. The tourist sector was chosen for the research as the most affected by the pandemic, on the one hand, and as a driver of the economy in a situation of general crisis, on the other hand. Methodology and sources. The methodological framework of the study is the structural-functional approach. The subject of the analysis is the communication activity of official accounts of the authorities involved in the regulation of the tourism industry in the capital and regions in the social network “Vkontakte” (as the most popular in Russia). We analyzed 249 publications by 15 online activity parameters in 11 groups of subjects the Russian Federation for two weeks of 2020. Results and discussion. Monitoring of official accounts showed a significant variation in the number of subscribers – from several hundred to tens of thousands. Two accounts had no content at all during the survey periods. The remaining groups did not have a unified approach to publication activity, namely different degrees of frequency of publications, as well as different formats of presenting material. According to the quantitative characteristics and the degree of audience engagement, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Archives of the Republic of Komi is the most active group, the account of the Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) is the most active by the quality of preparation and presentation content, the virality of posts (and by a high degree of negative feedback). A summary table of the data is given in the publication. Conclusion. The study has shown that the current situation with the pandemic has had a significant impact on the communication activity of the studied administrative structures. A number of organizations, even which initially had a large audience of subscribers, either did not update their content or did so irregularly. The organizations that do not take into account the interests of the audience and demonstrate a formal approach to the maintenance of pages were identified. Thus, it can be argued that such an important communication resource as social networks is used ineffectively by the majority of administrative bodies in the sphere of tourism management.

Strategic adaptation: leadership lessons for small business survival and success

PurposeApproximately half of all new businesses fail within the first five years of operation. This study was undertaken to understand the behavior of small business (SB) leaders, including their decision-making processes and adaptive leadership practices that enable their organizations to survive during periods of general crisis and intense competition.Design/methodology/approachIn order to understand the lived experiences of our research participants, a constructivist grounded theory approach was used. Thirty-two CEOs and leaders from fifteen organizations were interviewed.FindingsIt was determined that successful SB leaders avoid organizational complacency by being continuous learners, who are agile and flexible in determining appropriate management strategies. Additionally, they leverage time management processes, build strong and productive relationship networks and create positive family-oriented workplace cultures to increase their odds of survival.Research limitations/implicationsThis qualitative study was limited to interviews, observations and analysis of organizational archetypes; therefore, the authors can establish a pattern in behavior but cannot make a causality claim.Practical implicationsThe findings provide SB leaders with effective concepts, practices and strategies from members of their peer group, which they can test, refine and implement.Social implicationsThe impact of business failures is often devastating financially and emotionally for the families and employees involved. Learning methods for strategic adaptation that may help avoid business closures could provide a positive societal contribution.Originality/valueThere is little empirical research about how SBs strategically adapt during challenging periods. This study helps fill that gap and provides an understanding of how SB leaders adapt to continuous challenges, create value and remain competitive in difficult business environments.

Corona Virus: A Pandemic 2019

In DECEMBER 2019, the Places for Infectious prevention and Avoidance started to screen the episode of another Covid, SARS-CoV-2, which leads to causes respiratory ailment currently called as Coronavirus – 19. They previously recognized infection in Wuhan, many cases were reported in China seafood market . In excess of 82542 instance of Covid in China upto 31 Walk 2020. Wellbeing specialists had recognized numerous others with Coronavirus - 19 around the globe. On 31 Walk 2020, the infection spread among in excess of 750890 individuals all through the World. The World Wellbeing Association (WHO) has pronounced it as a general wellbeing crisis identifying with Coronavirus. Various strains of coronavirus has been analyzed in a few inhabitants of WORLD Population. The CDC had prompted that it is probably going to Affect many countries all over the world . Coronavirus influenced numerous nations on the planet. The primary individuals with Coronavirus had connections to a creature and fish market. This reality proposed that creatures at first communicated the infection to people. Nonetheless, individuals with a later finding had no associations with or openness to the market, affirming that people can pass the infection to one another. Covid will taint the vast majority sooner or later during their lifetime. Covid can change successfully, which makes them so infectious. Data on the infection is scant as of now. On 17 February 2020, the Chief General of the WHO introduced at a media preparation that accompanying reports on how regularly this manifestations of Coronavirus . However, some infections are exceptionally infectious, it is now clear that how quickly Coronavirus is spreading throughout the globe . Indicationsof this disease changes from person to person according to their immune response . In some this might deliver not many or no manifestations depending on many factors like age, associated underlying conditions, etc. Be that as it may, it can likewise prompt extreme ailment and might be deadly. On 11 Walk 2020, WHO proclaimed Novel Covid Sickness (Coronavirus) episode as a Pandemic.

Technological exaptation and crisis management: Evidence from COVID‐19 outbreaks

One of the key issues in the field of technology analysis and innovation management is how new technologies origin and evolve in the presence of environmental threats. We confront this problem focusing on emerging innovative solutions to cope with unexpected and harmful problems posed by crises and needing a rapid, effective response. We specifically analyze the patterns of critical innovations to cope with new coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) that is generating public health and economic issues worldwide. Accordingly, in the context of the theory of technological exaptation, we adopted a narrative approach examining vital innovations that ended up treating COVID‐19 even though they were originated to treat other diseases (more or less distant from the COVID‐19 domain), as the antiviral drug Remdesivir and the antirheumatoid arthritis drug Tocilizumab. Results reveal that technological exaptation, especially if characterized by a longer exaptive distance, is a potential driving force of innovation to cope with COVID‐19 in the short‐term and other similar issues. On this basis, we provide propositions for a more general crisis model of innovation. This study adds a new perspective that may be helpful to explain the evolution of innovation in the presence of crises, considering technological exaptation in a context of environmental threats.

Are you ready for your next product recall crisis? Lessons from operations and supply chain management

Most manufacturing companies face the possibility of a product recall crisis, if not within their own firms, then certainly somewhere within their supply chains. Recall crisis management typically finds a home within literature on crisis management, public relations, communications, marketing and brand management, and related fields. However, this research seldom addresses the operations support that must be mustered behind the scenes. The tumultuous material flows that can occur during a product recall imply a supply chain disruption. An effective response during the heat of a crisis therefore requires the foundation of a well-oiled supply chain. In this article I draw on learnings from the operations and supply chain management (OSCM) literature, integrate them with important precepts from the general crisis management and product recall literature, and identify managerial best practices that will help managers better prepare for product recall crises.

Судьба учёного в интерьере конституции

The article is a detailed review of a collective monograph published in honor of W.Sadurski, a prominent Australian legal scholar of Polish origin. It illuminates the most important problems of concern today to the international legal community. In particular, it is about the coming to power in a number of EU countries of right-wing populists who demonstratively disregard liberal values and tolerant rhetoric; the problems of the EU’s existence within its current borders, aggravated after the UK’s secession from the Union; and the phenomenon of “illiberal democracy” as one of the most dangerous challenges facing the constitutional development of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially Hungary and Poland. Special attention is paid to democratic backsliding, seen in the steady decline in rankings of post-socialist countries in various ratings of democratic accountability. The paper draws a conclusion about the general crisis that democratic statehood is experiencing on the European continent today and which is perhaps the most serious since the late 1930s. Also addressed is the broader use of various forms of direct democracy, beginning with nationwide and local referendums and ending with various types of plebiscites on confidence. A relatively new form of popular governance has been introduced by deliberative (consultative) democracy, for example in the case of Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly, which is chosen by random selection and as vox populi gives parliamentary committees recommendations on the most acute and divisive social problems. The volume also illuminates rightist governments’ social-economic policies repudiating the 1990s’ widely accepted concept of the market’s invisible hand and relying on direct payments to the population (as in Poland’s “500+” program, Covid payments, and so on). The Polish case is separately examined, particularly in the context of the so-called ‘war’ with the Constitutional tribunal.

Russian Empire in the System of Global Trade in Medicinal Herbs in the Late 18th – Early 19th Century and the Problem of Proportion Between “Scientific” and “Traditional” Pharmaceutics

This article examines Russian imports of medicinal plants in the late 18th – early 19th centuries and the attempts to reduce these procurements by using home-grown plants instead in the context of a general crisis in European trade during the Napoleonic wars. It attempts to estimate the volumes of imported medicinal materials, analyzes the range of medicinal plants, and compares the trades in exotic medicinal plants in Russia with the known data about their circulation in various European countries. The article demonstrates the dependency of Russian state-run apothecaries and hospitals on both the imported exotic plants and species native to the Russian Empire in the late 18th – early 19th centuries, and examines the available data concerning the apothecary gardens and wild medicinal plants harvesting for state-run apothecaries in Russia. It highlights the lack of infrastructure for a steady supply of native plants to state-run apothecaries and hospitals, the factor that accounted for the futility of attempts to reduce the dependency on imported medicaments in the early 19th century. At the same time, the paper emphasizes the continuing presence of local potion and herb shops trading in medicinal plants long before the transfer of European pharmaceutical institutions and practices to the Russian empire. These shops were not restricted to trading in indigenous plants only but could also sell the exotic ones. This fact undermines the simple binary model of European and “indigenous” or “folk” pharmaceutical traditions co-existing in Russia in the late 18th – early 19th centuries, arguing instead for their entangled histories.

ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ ПОЛЬСЬКО-АМЕРИКАНСЬКОГО КОМІТЕТУ ДОПОМОГИ ДІТЯМ ТА АМЕРИКАНСЬКОЇ АДМІНІСТРАЦІЇ ДОПОМОГИ (АРА) НА ТЕРИТОРІЇ ПОЛЬСЬКОЇ РЕСПУБЛІКИ У МІЖВОЄННИЙ ПЕРІОД

The end of the First World War was a consequence of a whole range of significant problems in the countries of Eastern Europe. These include the general poverty of the population, the decline of the rural industry and industrial production, the general political crisis that increased the popularity of radical communist movements, the change of geopolitical formation in Europe. The main factor that led to the destruction of the imperialist system was World War the first. On the ruins of empires, new independent countries are emerging, including the restored Republic of Poland or the Second Commonwealth. The whole list of problems that often reinforced each other was extremely difficult to overcome solely with the country inner capabilities and reserves. In fact, the period of the 20-30s of the twentieth century becomes the era of the expansion of the international philanthropic organizations activities, among which an important role was taken by American subsidiary organizations. These include the American Relief Administration (ARA), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and some religious organizations such as the American Mennonites and others. Quite often these organizations were united, sometimes acting separately, or transferring the relay activity from one to another. The involvement of American philanthropic organizations in dealing with the needy countries of Eastern Europe has become possible due to a number of factors. The following of them are the departure from the policy of isolationism, the rapid increase in the US labor productivity, the crisis of overproduction, the formation within the American society of a humanists and philanthropists layer, mainly among the richest and the most influential entrepreneurs (Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, Jacob Schiff, Herbert Hoover, etc.), who, having earned enormous wealth, created non-governmental charitable foundations with the aim of financing the philanthropic projects. Thus the activity of Herbert Hoover American humanitarian organization (the American Relief Administration (ARA)) which was started in 1919 in the US changed the general economic and social situation. Its main purpose was to provide food for Polish children needs. ARA launched a whole network of dining-rooms throughout Poland.

Bona fide problem in the activity of international judges

The article examines the forms of bad faith of international judges, the possibilities of counteracting manifestations of bad faith and the factors that stimulate bad faith. Among the first, there are forms related to the appointment of arbitrators (moonlighting, revolving door, issue conflict, etc.), and forms related to the process itself (ex parte communication, pressure on other judges, involving an assistant to perform the work of a judge, etc.). The article provides specific examples of bad faith and analyzes the positions of the courts and doctrine. The focus is on manifestations of bad faith in international investment arbitration, the reform of which is now on the UNCITRAL agenda. The author describes institutional, organizational, procedural and conceptual measures to counteract bad faith of international judges; special attention is paid to the latter, which imply the consolidation of new procedural and substantive concepts, for example, the concept of the presumption of guilt of judges, the concept of the international judicial decision as a sui generis agreement, etc. The author also calls for debates about philosophical, sociological, political, historical and economic aspects of international justice based on the recognition of the fact that it is not a static institution, but, on the contrary, is undergoing profound transformations (like the world as a whole). In conclusion, the author fixes the factors that stimulate bad faith: related to the general shortcomings of international law; associated with its dependence on the political environment; concerning the processes taking place within the judicial corporation; and, finally, concerning the transition of our civilization to the stage of postmodernity, which presupposes distrust in relation to metanarratives. The latter tendency is defined as general, objective and natural; the crisis of international justice in this regard is only one aspect of the general crisis of law and, at the same time, one of its evidence.

Кризис секуляризма в Индии

Received 11.01.2020. The article discusses the problem of the decline in the spirit of Indian secularism, both in connection with the significant loss of popularity of the INC party and the general crisis of liberal values in the world, examines the reasons for the complication of intercommunal dialogue and the reduction of public space for tolerance. The understanding of such key ideas as secularism, religious tolerance, multiculturalism, pluralism in political culture and society determines not only its prospects on its path to modernization, but also determines the fate of these societies. In addition to the ideological confrontation around the listed concepts within the Indian political system, the study examines the special role of educational institutions at all levels and the media in expanding the space of public dialogue and also outlines the difficulties faced by the country’s political institutions. Based on the examples of recent experience in resolving the Kashmir problem and the adoption of the Citizenship Law, an attempt is made to assess the mutual influence of the secular self-awareness of Indians and religious dynamics in a complex structured Indian society on political processes. The paper assesses the impact of the Hindutva ideology on reducing the degree of secularity in modern India and the role of the Sangh Parivar family (Hindu ethno-nationalist organizations) in the course of the country’s forced “saffronization” policy.

Modern Demographic Processes in Ukraine, Factors of Influence

The presented article gives the analysis of the modern demographic indicators such as life expectancy, age structure and fertility rate of the population in Ukraine and their geographical differences. The aim of the research is a spatial analysis of the demographic situation to determine the development trends of the population of the regions of Ukraine. In the conditions of depopulation and gradual aging of labor force in Ukraine requirements to its qualitative characteristics, first of all a state of health and average life expectancy grow. Ukraine belongs to the countries with high intensity of depopulation processes that is caused by a number of various factors of economic, socio-cultural, institutional character. Large-scale and protracted depopulation is now a component and one of the most pronounced manifestations of the general crisis demographic situation in Ukraine. The tendencies of influence of average life expectancy on indicators of population aging are investigated in the work. The regional analysis is carried out and territorial differences in indicators of average life expectancy and indicators of population aging are defined. The reasons for such a tense situation have been identified. The paper emphasizes that the development of really effective measures aimed at bringing the oblasts out of the deep demographic crisis and slowing down the progressive depopulation should focus not only on reducing mortality, but mainly on improving the health of the population, which can correct high mortality. These demographic trends increase global demographic asymmetry, give a special sharpness and new "sound" to the demographic problem in the global context, and, in addition, have long-term socio-economic consequences for countries with depopulation and deepening aging. In view of this, there is now a need for a comprehensive scientific understanding of the phenomenon of depopulation and assessment of its possible prospects, the development of a strategy to influence depopulation processes by means of sociodemographic policy. In our country, the study of depopulation factors, its nature and origins, analysis of the peculiarities of the deployment of depopulation and assessment of its consequences have become particularly relevant.

Students’ Self-Organization and Problem Solving Competencies Formation in Explaining Water Resources Ecological Conditions and Bioecological Features of <i>Azolla caroliniana</i>

Self-organization and problem solving competencies are important in formation of students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and responsibility. In this article, authors explain formation of self-organization and problem solving competencies in students during teaching water resources ecological conditions. Enhancement of the ecological situation is the result not only of general crisis in the region economy, associated with low investment activity and the emergence of psychological disciplines, but also due to a large number of economic structures. Research goals and objectives in this study include bio-ecological features, the distribution of plant Azolla in the southern Kyrgyzstan and its use as a valuable green fertilizer, protein and vitamin supplement for various farm animals. Study of Azolla caroliniana and its influence on the water conditions in southern Kyrgyzstan can be concluded with year-round introduction in aquariums, trenches, shallow water, valuable plant biomass can be obtained, the use of which can solve such problems as increasing soil fertility, enriching feed with nutrients in branches of livestock, poultry, fish farming and wastewater treatment.

ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ПОНЯТТЯ АНТИКРИЗОВОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ

The article is devoted to the theoretical approaches to defining the concept of crisis management in order to systematize research areas. Taking into account, that the modern understanding of crisis management has a rather heterogeneous and ambiguous interpretation, practical recommendations for recommendations for the development and implementation of crisis management systems are characterized by theoretical uncertainty and unfoundedness. In one case, anti-crisis management is considered as management at the state, regional, local levels in the general systemic crisis that is observed in the country; in another as management of the region or the enterprise caused by the crisis phenomena as a result of inappropriate providing of regional management; in the third case as a management of the enterprise on the verge of bankruptcy or in the period of bankruptcy. In a conditionally stable system, the purpose of anti-crisis management is to diagnose the performance of the enterprise in order to identify the sights of crisis phenomena. In a system with the sights of crisis phenomena, anti-crisis management is aimed to localize the identified crises, overcoming its negative impact and restoring pre-crisis indicators. In the general crisis system, the purpose of anti-crisis management is to manage the enterprise in a prolonged crisis. Each model of crisis management has appropriate stages, the implementation of which is aimed to minimize the negative impact of crisis phenomena. Considering the main purpose of crisis management as a creation of conditions for the sustainable operation of the enterprise, sector or national economy, the objectives of crisis management will vary depending on the type of financial system of the object of management. The analysis of theoretical approaches of the definition of the concept of crisis management allowed to systematize the classification of crisis managements methods of enterprises and to offer two directions of their application: diagnostic methods and methods of crisis management. Summarizing all modern approaches, the main purpose of anti-crisis management is to create conditions for sustainable operation of enterprises in the market, despite any economic, political and social transformations in the country, to develop the strategic alternatives based on forecasting, avoiding financial problems and overcoming the threat of bankruptcy with minimal losses.

To the question of the specifics of the socio-political modernization of the countries in South Asia

The article examines the main guidelines for understanding the conjugation of traditional values with the Western understanding of modernity and social progress for the South Asian subcontinent. The general crisis of the reformist movement, which failed to develop a balanced modernization approach, which could harmoniously combine Western political, economic and cultural values with national spiritual foundations, is stated; the crisis clearly manifested itself at the end of the 20th century. The article also focuses on the most significant aspects of socio-political modernization in the countries of South Asia (social asymmetry, pendulum-like nature of power legitimation, radicalization of forms of political change, etc.). Separately, it is emphasized that the political development of modern states of the South Asian subcontinent demonstrates a pronounced tendency to strengthen national identity with an active appeal to religious self-identification, on the one hand, and a negative assessment of the colonial past, on the other.

Challenges and Opportunities presented to the Albanian Economy and Labor Market during the Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted many problems in the structure of the economy and hence in the employment sector, as a very delicate sector for the Albanian economy. This unpredictable factor that has affected the world economy is giving its blows every quarter to the Albanian economy. The unemployment rate has a downward trend making unemployment a major problem for the economy. The main purpose of this study is to argument and analyse the impact of the pandemic factor on the economy, and specifically the employment and unemployment rate in Albania during the economic year 2020. The period of the past year has shown how government subsidy has affected or not the reduction of unemployment as consequence of business closures. It is worth mentioning that in this paper we will try to create a comparison of two exhaustive analyses of the reports published by INSTAT and interpretations of the data of the financial year 2020. Based on these data we will create an overview of the unemployment situation and employment in general Albania, during the pandemic period. How much impact have the pandemic and the health crisis had on the economy, and what is the consequence of the pandemic in the labour market expected to continue? In conclusion, we will suggest the formulation of a group of political policies by engaging experts of various fields. These policies will not only be crucial to confront the imminent issues caused by Covid-19, but they will also be very important to overcome the general crisis created by it.

Соціальні ліфти як механізм реалізації державної молодіжної політики

The purpose of this article is to characterize the functioning of social lifts as one of the effective mechanisms for implementing state youth policy. It is determined that in the transition to the postindustrial phase of civilization development the main goal of the state youth policy in Ukraine should be: creating conditions for self-realization of every young person and development of youth initiatives on the principles of openness, system and comprehensiveness by restoring and improving social lifts. At the same time, vertical (traditional) social lifts connected with the hierarchical structure of society and horizontal social lifts created with the use of information and communication networks and virtual environments should be preserved. It is demonstrated that the state youth policy should be focused on the creation and improvement of legal, socio-economic, research, organizational conditions for successful socialization and self-realization of Ukrainian youth, the use of their creative potential in the interests of society. It is revealed that in the state youth policy it is necessary to take into account the following main stratifying factors: economic well-being (income, wealth, property), which is based on the indicators of the average monetary income in the system “rich – poor” the marginalization of a large part of the population, caused by a significant declining mobility in the context of the general crisis and radical reforms, is mainly forced under the influence of external factors related to socio-economic and socio-cultural transformation of society as a whole; falling importance of education as a factor of upward mobility, due to inequality in obtaining educational opportunities for low-income groups.

Тенденції оподаткування споживання в країнах OЕСР до та під час пандемії COVID-19

The article is concerned with analyzing the tendencies of taxation of consumption in the OECD countries. The purpose of the article is to examine the tendencies of taxation of consumption in the OECD countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the results of the research, it is found that in the period from 1995 to 2018 in the OECD countries there was a relatively stable tax burden formed by consumption taxes, with a gradual decrease in VAT rates. In many countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant deterioration in public finances, adding to existing problems such as population aging, climate change, rising poverty and inequality, etc., the problem of reducing tax revenues in consequence of the reduced business activity and increased public spending on health care and economic support programs. It is noted that after the COVID-19 outbreak, the OECD countries periodically make adaptation changes to their policies, mainly aimed at adapting VAT in the context of the spread of digitalization and the need for fiscal support for certain sectors of the economy. The development and administration of VAT policies have become an important component in the most OECD government fiscal policy measures to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020–2021. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to a crisis in the healthcare and economic sectors, which has led to the use of measures to contain the pandemic. These measures reduced production, and in combination with the general crisis of the healthcare sector reduced the demand of enterprises and households. The economic policy measures focused primarily on maintaining business liquidity (deferring VAT payment) to help businesses stay afloat and to support the incomes of vulnerable households (applying reduced VAT rates). Prospect for further research is to assess the fiscal effects of modifying the taxation of consumption in the OECD countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ISSUE OF GERMAN GUILT IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF KARL JASPERS

The main research aspect of the article is the “issue of guilt”, i. e. Germany’s responsibility for the establishment of Nazism and the outbreak of World War II in the philosophical legacy of the German existentialist philosopher Karl Jaspers. The article analyzes the ideas of K. Jaspers on the need to realize and admit guilt for their crimes by the German people and to overcome the totalitarian legacy. K. Jaspers emphasizes that the German people must be held accountable for the crimes of the Nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s. Jaspers addresses the issue of morality and identifies four types of guilt. The first type is criminal guilt, which lies on those who have committed criminal offenses. The second type is political guilt. The third type is moral guilt. The last, fourth type is metaphysical guilt which is associated with a sense of responsibility for every wrong and unjust act in the world. For the author, the last two types of guilt are of the greatest importance. Thus, the tragedy of World War II and the ethnic genocides committed by the Nazis were the result of moral and ethical problems and the general spiritual crisis of the German people. The key role is given to the metaphysical aspect of this crisis. It is claimed that it was the spiritual problems that gave rise to the irreversible processes in the development of the entire nation. The paramount importance of the phenomenon of collective thinking is denied, giving preference to the personal level. It is noted that the main condition for spiritual revival is the rejection of national illusions, an unbiased view of one’s own past and present life, the recognition of one’s own sin, without which repentance of both the nation and the individual is impossible. Of great importance is the aspect of humility, which functions as “our spiritual essence”, which leads to the fact that man is on the path of perfection, which ultimately leads him to God. It is emphasized that the admission of guilt and remorse is a vital necessity for the German people. The article also highlights the impact of Jaspers’ ideas on the formation of modern humanitarian policy in the Federal Republic of Germany.