Eastern Territories Research Articles

Transregional Cooperation of German Federal States with Eastern Regions and Countries (Late 20th — 21st Century)

This study examines the formation and development of transregional relations between the federal states of Germany (Bundesländer) and Eastern countries and regions. It presents the findings of a normative-legal analysis of the foundations of international and foreign policy activities of German federal states, based on national legislation. The focus is on the institutional framework for cross-border interactions between individual administrative units of the Federal Republic of Germany and their foreign partners. The research explores partnerships with both neighboring Middle Eastern territories and more distant Eastern regions. The findings indicate that the international and foreign economic activities of the German states are extensive, aligning with the opportunities outlined in Germany’s constitutional documents, and are significantly broader and more diverse compared to similar activities in the regions of France and Italy. It has been identified that German states engage in a system of “horizontal partnerships” primarily with provinces of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, it is reported that a principle of “network cooperation” is applied to most other Eastern countries, encompassing not only economic but also scientific, cultural, and humanitarian ties. The study demonstrates that among the examined EU countries at the regional level, German federal states lead in establishing the most successful and effective partnerships with regions in Eastern countries.

“Our Goal is – Forward and Not to Retreat…” – Uprisings in the Small Ghettos Located in the Territories of Eastern Poland/Western Belarus and Ukraine – A Re-evaluation

Abstract The article analyses the phenomena of the revolts in small ghettos located primarely in the territories of current Belarus and Ukraine that used to be part of Poland during the interwar period. It suggests that one of the reasons for this phenomena was combined influence of life both in the interwar Poland and under the Soviet rule since september 1939 (untill the German-Nazi occupation in june-july 1941).

Belarusization in Russian Regions in the 1920s in Modern Russian Historiography

The article presents a historiographical review of publications on the policy of Belarusization carried out in the Russian regions in the 1920s. This work does not address the publications of Belarusian and foreign researchers on the practice of implementing the new Soviet national policy within the territorial borders of the Belarusian Republic. The main attention is paid to the three Russian provinces bordering Belarus – Pskov, Smolensk and Bryansk. At the same time, the eastern territories of the RSFSR – the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East, where Belarusians found themselves as a result of the resettlement policy, especially at the beginning of the 20th century during the Stolypin agrarian reform, were not ignored. Belarusization, as part of the general policy of Korenization, proclaimed in 1923 at the XII Congress of the Russian Communist Party (b), in modern research is closely linked to the need to show new principles and directions of Soviet national policy for the development of Belarusian statehood and culture in contrast to the all-out polonization carried out by the Pilsudski government in Western Ukrainian and Belarusian lands ceded to Poland by the Riga Peace Treaty of 1921. A significant role in this process was assigned to the expansion of the state borders of the BSSR at the expense of Russian territories, especially in 1924 and 1926. However, Belarusization did not find any real support from the local authorities, who considered Belarusians to be part of the Russian population until the end of the 1920s, as well as due to the significant self-Russification of the Belarusian population in the Russian regions that had already taken place by the middle of the decade. Formally, these tasks were constantly on the agenda of the party and Soviet authorities in the second half of the 1920s. But they have not received any significant practical implementation.

The Civil Administration of Eastern Territories (1919–1920): The Reasons for the Failure of Piłsudski’s Federation Idea

The Civil Administration of Eastern Territories (1919–1920): The Reasons for the Failure of Piłsudski’s Federation Idea

Eastern Regions in the Economic Strategy on the “Take-off” Stage of the Soviet Industrial System

The article delves into the strategy and implementation of economic development in the eastern regions of Russia from the pre-war five-year plans to the “Kosygin reform”. It highlights the substantial growth in the importance of these regions in the national economy during this period. However, historical perspectives on the long-term consequences of the “Eastern shift” in the production and population proportions vary. Some researchers believe that such a course met and meets the fundamental interests of the country. Others dispute this, attributing it to excessive geopolitical ambitions and a distorted understanding of the economy’s actual needs. Based on the historiographic analysis and documentary sources, the author offers an interpretation of why the authorities prioritized the advanced economic development of the eastern territories and how they executed this strategy. It is concluded that implementation of such a course has led to a radical change in the territorial structure of production. At the same time, as the period under review drew to a close, the focus shifted from advanced development to sustaining the achieved level, resulting in a deceleration of economic growth in the eastern regions. This was primarily ascribed to the decreasing efficacy of the “socialist economic system” and the ruling elite's persistent aversion to reforming economic institutions. One overarching argument posited in the article is that there was a substantive “shift of productive forces” towards the East in the broader context of the Soviet era, coinciding with the period of the “take-off” of the Soviet industrial system. The foregoing allows us substantiating the relationship between high rates of economic growth and “intensive economic development” of the eastern regions of the country.

Review of the monograph Strategizing of the Tourism and Trade Show Industries in the Russian Far East

The collective monograph Strategizing of the Tourism and Trade Show Industries in the Russian Far East was prepared by a team of young scientists from the Economic and Financial Strategy Department dealing with designing and developing the theoretical foundations and practice of strategizing at the level of enterprises, industries, regions, and countries of the world. The presented scientific publication develops an up-to-date comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the tourism industry as an "aggregated" branch of the economy, covering more than 110 related industries and having a significant multiplier effect. The object of the analysis is the Russian Far East, a huge geographical space characterized by significant imbalances in socio–economic development, which determine the starting conditions for involvement of the rich natural and recreational potential of the Far Eastern territories in the tourist turnover. The uniqueness and practical significance of the monograph is that it formulates theoretical and methodological foundations for strategizing the tourism industry and exhibition and fair activities, based on the universal theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by V.L. Kvint, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, taking into account the industry specifics of the object of strategizing. Furthermore, the work presents a comprehensive analysis of resource support for tourism development in the said territory.

The epic of the Baikal-Amur Mainline is the fate of millions. On the 50th anniversary of the start of construction

The Baikal-Amur Mainline is one of the most ambitious and controversial Soviet projects on the sociopolitical and historical trail of perception. The proposal to build a new railway north of the Trans-Siberian Railway was put forward at the beginning of the 20th century. The idea was approached in the 1920s and 1930s. Surveys were conducted, and construction began on one of the sites, which was interrupted by the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Moreover, during the war years, the upper structure of the track and a number of engineering structures were dismantled on the constructed site, which were used for the construction of the extremely important rockade railway in the Stalingrad area, which played a significant role in supplying Soviet troops during the Battle of Stalingrad. The interest in the construction of the BAM of the Soviet leadership in the 1960s and 1970s arose again in the context of an aggravation of the political situation — the complication of relations between the USSR and the People’s Republic of China. However, already during this period, the question was reasonably raised not only about the political, but also the economic strategic significance of the project from the perspective of the country’s development prospects, the development of natural resources in this region, the development of transport links between the European, Siberian, and Far Eastern territories of the state. In the period after the collapse of the USSR, the BAM construction project, not without the influence of those who were under Western influence in the country’s leadership circles, was classified as erroneous, extremely costly, economically and socially unjustified. Today, in society, the state, under the influence of many factors of recent years, there is an understanding of the importance of completing and developing the BAM construction project. This project has played a big role in the lives of millions of people, many organizations and institutions. Among them is the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers — today the St. Petersburg State University of Railways of Emperor Alexander I, whose students, graduates, scientists and specialists have been involved in various forms in the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline for half a century.

Prawo małżeńskie osobowe Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej na ziemiach wschodnich dawnego zaboru rosyjskiego

The article describes the problems facing the marriage law in the eastern parts of the Second Polish Republic. These issues are mainly due to the lack of codification of matrimonial law throughout the territory of the Republic of Poland and the fact that exclusively civil jurisdiction in matrimonial matters was not implemented, as it was envisaged in Lutostański’s proposal. The decisions of ecclesiastical courts led to the creation of substantially invalid marriages and the spreading of legal bigamy. Failure to observe state regulations concerning the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical courts in dissolution or nullity cases, as well as mutual non-recognition of judgments of the ecclesiastical courts contributed to the creation of areas called “divorce meccas”. These designations referred to the Eastern Orthodox and Calvinist Church existing in the eastern territories of the Second Polish Republic. Taking into account the above, the article is intended to compare factors destabilising marriage law in the areas in question. To analyze this issue, primarily the historical and legal method was used.

Архивные источники о системе органов охраны общественного порядка и совместной деятельности с общественными объединениями: 1922–1991 гг. (на примере юга Дальнего Востока СССР)

In this article, the authors analyze and summarize unpublished (archival) sources that elucidate the development of the system of public order protection bodies and joint activities with public associations in the territories of the Khabarovsk Krai and Primorsky Krai, as well as the Amur Oblast. It is emphasized that at the modern stage of state development, the outlined issue remains pertinent, retaining significance for the highest governing elite of the Russian Federation and society at large. Particular attention is paid to the funds and documents of the central and regional archives, where diverse information is concentrated, which indicates that the Far Eastern territory as a whole, all its structural bodies and public organizations developed in the national context of the chronological period under consideration. The features of the activities of law enforcement officers and people’s squads in the context of complications of the Soviet-Chinese border policy are indicated. In summary, the authors emphasize that the presented documentary archival base significantly expands the historical space about the social processes that took place in the south of the Far East of the USSR in the period from 1922 to 1991, and their legal field.

Territorial Communities of France in International Cooperation with Eastern Countries and Regions (20th-21st Centuries)

This article explores the formation and development of transregional relations of territorial communities of France with Eastern countries and regions. It examines the interplay of centrifugal and centripetal tendencies in the “center-regions” relationship of the French Republic. The analysis focuses on the normative framework of international and foreign policy activities of French territorial communities based on national constitution and legislation. Traditional close ties of French regions with partners from European countries are discussed, with a special emphasis on collaborations with countries in Eastern and Southern Mediterranean, as well as North Africa. Partnership with distant Eastern territories is separately examined. The study is based on a comprehensive methodology incorporating principles of historicism, objectivity, comprehensiveness, historical-systemic and historical-comparative approaches, as well as theoretical foundations of multilevel governance theory. It includes an examination of the activities of various administrative units in France: regions, departments, municipalities, cities, and metropolises. The conclusion drawn is that the international activities of French regions are currently less active than those of regions in other European Union countries; however, in the 21st century, they have significantly intensified compared to previous periods.

КУЛЬТУРНЫЕ КОНТАКТЫ МЕЖДУ РОССИЕЙ И КИТАЕМ НА ДАЛЬНЕВОСТОЧНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЯХ В XIX – НАЧАЛЕ XX в.

The paper analyzes the formation and development of cultural relations between Russia and China in the 19th – early 20th centuries in the Far Eastern territories. The issues of the origin of Russian-Chinese cultural interaction, the contact between Russian and Chinese cultures, as well as the peculiarities of contacts between the two ethnic groups are covered. The work uses a historical-chronological research method, which made it possible to trace the formation and development of contacts in the field of culture between the two countries in the Far Eastern border region in the mid-19th – early 20th centuries (from the signing of the Aigun and Beijing treaties to the October Revolution of 1917), as well as a systematic approach, the use of which led to the consideration of cultural ties as a component of the overall system of Russian-Chinese relations at the interstate and interregional levels. Materials in Chinese in the author's translation were introduced into scientific circulation. When studying cultural contacts between the two countries, the concept of sociocultural interaction developed by N.A. Samoilov was applied, which made it possible to analyze the features of relations between the two countries in the field of culture and highlight the forms of interaction. According to the authors, the development of mutual contacts in the field of culture was determined by foreign policy and socio-economic conditions, significant transformations in the political, economic and cultural spheres that took place in the mid-19th – early 20th centuries in the Russian state and the Qing Empire, as well as the meeting of Chinese migration and Russian colonization flows in the Russian Far Eastern borderland. In general, Russian-Chinese sociocultural interaction during the period under study went through several stages, during which the Russian and Chinese peoples mutually recognized each other and learned to interact. At the same time, in the Far Eastern territories at the turn of the century, a contact zone of relations between two ethnic groups was formed, a special environment of Russian-Chinese interaction was formed, and at the same time, the difference between the two cultures and the impossibility of their mixing and mutual assimilation became increasingly obvious.

Development of the Far Eastern Territories of Russia: from the Origins to Modern Realities

Relevance. In the conditions of the new world order, issues of state migration policy are of particular importance. The rapid development of the Far Eastern Federal District in the 21st century is determined by “absolute priority”. Therefore, the problems and prospects for technological and infrastructural development of the Far East require scientific understanding and social correction from all levels of state and municipal government. As prospects for minimizing the consequences of population outflow, a set of management measures is proposed, primarily at the federal level, which involves: providing a package of social preferences to all socio-demographic groups of residents of the Far Eastern Federal District; attracting human resources within the framework of the annually held competition “Leaders of Russia” and implementing in-depth scientific research on all socially significant projects. The purpose is to identify promising areas of managerial influence to minimize the outflow of population from the Far Eastern territories of modern Russia. Objectives: characterize the historical retrospective of the development of the Far Eastern territories; reveal cause-and-effect relationships, conditions and factors of population outflow; outline directions for minimizing negative migration consequences. Methodology. Research procedures are based on a synthesis of theoretical principles of the sociology of management and economics, using general scientific methods of comparison, analysis and synthesis. Results. A set of quantitative and qualitative sociological measurements was carried out, which made it possible to determine the "pain points" of migration policy in the Far East and the prospects for their resolution. Conclusions. Stratification differences between Russian regions in terms of basic socio-economic indicators require the federal level of government to take specific measures to minimize their consequences. Underfunding of technological and infrastructure projects in the Far Eastern territories leads to fragmentation of their implementation. Deep scientific expertise and public approval are necessary when developing federal and regional development programs for the Far Eastern territories.

Political Activities of Major-General P. F. Ryabikov in Japan and China, 1920—1922

The historical-biographical sketch explores several episodes in the life and activities of a prominent Russian military leader, one of the founders of the intelligence service in the pre-revolutionary Russian army, Major General P. F. Ryabikov (1875-1932). Serving in the White Movement as the 2nd Chief of Staff Quartermaster of A. V. Kolchak’s staff, General P. F. Ryabikov acquired competencies as a curator of military propaganda and organizer of periodical publications, which he later successfully utilized as a leader in these areas of military-political activity within the White emigration in Japan and China. From July 1920 to September 1921, P. F. Ryabikov served in the mission of the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Russian Far Eastern Territory, Ataman G. M. Semenov, in Yokohama, where he was involved in establishing a network of correspondent-informants for this mission in European countries and the United States, receiving reports and messages about the state of these countries, as well as informing representatives of foreign states in line with the ideology of the Semenovites and publishing anti-Bolshevik literature. In October 1921, at the request of Ataman G. M. Semenov, P. F. Ryabikov transferred his activities to Shanghai, where he continued his assigned work with agent-informants and cooperation in the Russian emigrant press. Having no material and organizational support from G. M. Semenov, Ryabikov severed ties with him in February 1922 and embarked on a path of independent political and journalistic activities.

Дальневосточный вектор подготовки управленческих кадров в системе партийного образования (1920-е – начало 1940-х гг.)

The authors present an analysis of the historical period of training management personnel in the system of political party educational institutions created by the Soviet government. The formation and development of this new system in the Russian Far East was significantly complicated and restrained by the conditions of the protracted civil war and foreign military intervention, the high level of illiteracy of the local population, the lack of properly trained teaching staff, teaching aids, a small number of management personnel loyal to the new government, and remoteness from the central part and Soviet governmental bodies. The analysis of archival materials, governing party documents and available scientific publications revealed that the systematic work of governmental bodies to create various forms of Soviet-party education focused on training management personnel with political potential to solve key and urgent problems of the integrated development of the Far Eastern territories. The study of the problem helps to expand the existing knowledge about the state Soviet policy in training management personnel, the forms, methods and techniques used, the influence of various factors on the system effectiveness. This is vitally important for identifying historical experience for the current phase of improving management personnel training for state authorities and municipal administrations.

Развитие приграничной торговли КНР в условиях глобальных вызовов

The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamics and structure of Chinese border trade in the context of current global challenges. Border trade is an important source of economic development for some Chinese regions, despite its small share in China’s foreign trade. The article identifies changes in Chinese border trade in the early 2020s: restrictions related to COVID-19 contributed to the development of other forms of trade; sanctions against Russia stimulated an increase in the share of border trade in favor of the EAEU countries. It is shown that the PRC’s border trade was constrained by direct supplies of goods, underdeveloped border infrastructure, the small scale of border markets, informal trade and the «frozen» border conflicts. The implementation by China of different models in the development of border trade has been revealed. An increase in the share of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the border trade of the PRC was discovered, which has become a trade hub between China and the EAEU countries. It is shown that in North-East China, the bulk of trade turnover with Russia was formed by direct supplies of goods, bypassing border trade, indicating stagnation in cross-border cooperation between countries in the Far Eastern territory

Food Security in the Far East: New Approaches to Solving the Problem

The implementation of the socio-economic development programme of the Far East sets tasks to increase the permanent population of the Russian Far East. This problem cannot be solved without a corresponding increase in the food supply of the macro-region. The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to modernize the system of food supply of the Far Eastern territories, taking into account external threats. The article examines approaches to agricultural development and solving the problem of food security in the Far Eastern regions of Russia. The author considers the potential for the permanent population of the Far East to produce enough food for self-sufficiency and assesses the impact of preferential regimes on agricultural development and food security. The author analyzes the current regulatory acts and the results of their implementation, on the basis of which he evaluates the effectiveness of public policy in modern conditions and proposes recommendations for solving the problem.

РОЖДАЕМОСТЬ НА ДАЛЬНЕМ ВОСТОКЕ РОССИИ: ТЕНДЕНЦИИ, ПРИЧИНЫ, ПУТИ РЕШЕНИЯ

Significance. Given the current trends in demographic development, the existing disproportion between the population and the vast territory of the Far Eastern Federal District may significantly increase in the future, which will intensify certain concerns about a possible violation of the geopolitical balance out here. Fertility indicators have revealed the main demographic risk zones of the regions of the eastern territories. The purpose of the study is to analyze dynamics in birth rates in the Russian Far East, gender composition and age structure of the population to identify risk zones when taking effective measures to improve the situation. Material and methods. The analysis used World Health Organization data, databases and collections of Rosstat and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation by federal district and region of Russia, information on the implementation of the National Demography Project. Results. Determining trends in dynamics in birth rates in the Russian Far East shows that in urban areas of the Far Eastern regions, the type of demographic behavior inherent in the newcomer population and focused on having one child prevails, while in rural areas the traditions of the indigenous population are preserved. Until 2015, relatively high birth rates were recorded in “national” regions with the predominance of populations belonging to the indigenous people of the North and the Far East, in whose culture large families are accepted. The mother’s average age is increasing, there was a shift in the age of first-time mothers (20-24 years) to an older age group (25-29 years and 30-34 years). A decline in fertility in the near future will be due to a significant reduction in the number of women of reproductive age, especially in its active phase (20–39 years). A new model of marital and, as a result, reproductive behavior of young families is being formed. From the point of view of marital behavior, it implies an increase in the age at first marriage, refusal of marriage, popularity of informal marriage, etc. From the point of view of reproductive behavior, it involves postponing births in marriage until material standards are achieved, as well as in the interests of increasing one’s social status. Conclusion. One of the promising areas for improving the demographic situation is the adoption of effective social measures and programs to increase birth rates in young families. Only a rising dynamics in birth rates can give a real and sustainable impetus to stabilizing fertility for the national security of the eastern territories.

Становление и развитие социологии в системе партийных и государственных образовательных учреждений Дальнего Востока России (1958–2010 гг.)

The article presents the main milestones in the development of sociology in the Russian Far East. The institutionalization of regional sociology in the Soviet, perestroika, and modern periods is traced in chronological order, the features of formation are noted. Based on the materials of the State Archive of the Khabarovsk Territory and the Archive of the Far Eastern Institute of Management historical facts and events reflecting the process of formation and development of sociological science and practice in the Far Eastern territories of Russia are considered. The article presents the institutionalization of sociology since the beginning of the 90s of the twentieth century as an academic discipline that forms sociological thinking of future and current managers and sociologists. The contribution of the Far Eastern party and modern sociologists is described. The authors' assessments and conclusions about stages of Russian Far Eastern sociological science development give understanding of its historical lessons how to scientific support activities of authorities and how to manage further socio-economic development of the Russian Far East better for improving the quality of life of its population.

ДАЛЬНИЙ ВОСТОК КАК ОБЪЕКТ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ В СОВРЕМЕННОЙ РОССИИ

The regional policy of modern Russia is a special area, which is influenced by the processes taking place in the international arena. Economic flows, trade agreements, deliveries of various goods and materials were reoriented to Asian countries, which determined the special attention of the government to the development of the Far Eastern territory. The relevance of the topic is due to the modern orientation of the economy towards Asian countries, which makes the Far East a key region in the system of trade and partnership relations. The purpose of the work is to consider the features of conducting regional policy in the Far Eastern Federal District. At the same time, it should be taken into account that, in general, the Far East is one of the key and at the same time problematic regions of the country. The Government of the Russian Federation seeks to increase the population of the region, solves its economic and territorial problems and conducts various programs to optimize the development of the region. However, problems persist. The article will consider the key guidelines for the policy of the Russian government in the development of the Far Eastern territory. In conclusion, the areas of economic activity of interest to the government are presented, as well as promising areas for further development of the regional economy in accordance with trade relations with the countries of Asia and the Middle East.

Elbing vs. Elbląg. From contested land to decolonial representations

Territorial shifts after World War II entailed critical demographic changes: Germans were expelled from Elbing; Poles from the eastern territories were supposed to take their place in Elbląg. Personal and national narratives had to be created from scratch. The article explores different forms of texts and maps – memoirs, tourist guides, literature, and an exhibition – to scrutinise different city and neighbourhood narratives from German and Polish standpoints. Besides analysing the central motifs and narrative strategies that rely on an urban visualisation of memory, it rejects the popular notion of a palimpsest in favour of a decolonial perspective on urban space. Proposing a way to imagine a city beyond nation-based concepts can stimulate reconsidering hierarchic city structures.