Objective: to empirically test Wolfgang Streeck’s hypothesis on the transformation of a “tax state” into a “debt state” and to assess its impact on political stability using the example of the European Union’s six developed democracies.
Methods: the study uses a comparative case study and political and economic analysis. The empirical base comprises data from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the OECD (1990–2023) on the dynamics of gross government debt, tax revenues, interest expenses, and rates for the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, and France. For analysis, the countries were divided into two groups: those that suffered from the debt crisis (Greece, Spain, Italy) and those that remained stable (Great Britain, France, Germany).
Results: Streeck’s hypothesis was partially confirmed. The author found that the relationship between high government debt and political instability is most pronounced in Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom. The key factor, however, is not the absolute amount of debt, but the cost of servicing it: despite its growth, low interest rates over the past decade have significantly reduced the fiscal burden. No direct relation was found for Italy and France, while for Germany the hypothesis turned out to be incorrect. Additionally, it was shown that the regime of “creditor democracy” in its purest form is typical for the countries with “negative sovereignty” (poor and some middle-income countries).
Scientific novelty: it is one of the first attempts to verify Streeck’s concept using specific macroeconomic and political data for developed countries. The author introduced the relation between the “debt state” theory and the dynamics of political stability and proposed its broad interpretation through the prism of the “negative sovereignty” theory.
Practical significance: the results obtained can be used to justify and implement a rational government debt policy, taking into account the high probability of new exogenous shocks and rising interest rates.

Objective: to identify institutional mechanisms for the implementation of industrial policy strategies and measures of the People’s Republic of China by influencing the country’s banking sector.
Methods: qualitative methods, the method of historicism, comparison, generalization.
Results: institutional mechanisms were identified that facilitate the involvement of the Chinese banking sector in the implementation of strategies, programs and measures of China’s industrial policy. In developing industrial policy directions, the Chinese leadership mostly relies on measures to stimulate the development of strategically important industries through the provision of various benefits, subsidies, and easier access to bank loans. The institutional mechanisms of the Chinese government’s influence on commercial banks’ decisions on granting loans to priority industries are built in the logic of the Leninist-type party; it is the real center of strategic decision-making for the country’s socio-economic and political development. It implements its vision of development strategies through formal and informal institutions of party control over political and economic institutions.
Scientific novelty: the institutional mechanisms of influence of the PRC state and party institutions on the country’s banking sector are identified. The research shows that the system of regulation of the banking sector in the People’s Republic of China and the activities of its largest banks includes a mechanism of party influence, where bank managers simultaneously occupy key positions in party structures.
Practical significance: the findings are useful for teaching courses on institutional economics, regional studies and industrial policy, as well as for adapting the Chinese experience to the Russian economy in the face of sanctions.

Objective: to find mechanisms of structural transformation of the Chinese economy in the context of demographic decline and population aging; to assess the potential of applying this experience to the Russian economic policy under similar challenges.
Methods: The research uses the interdisciplinary approach that integrates methods of economic analysis, demography, and sustainable development research. The research also applies the systematic analysis of the official statistics of PRC and international organizations, the comparative analysis of the Chinese strategic documents (“Made in China 2025”, “Dual Circulation”), and a critical review of the scientific literature.
Results: demographic decline was established to be the key systemic constraint that catalyzes the transition of China from an extensive growth model to an innovative one. The research specified strategic directions of this transformation: technological upgrade and movement up global value chains, large-scale investments in human capital, total automation and the green economy development. The inconsistency of the interim results was revealed: impressive advances in the high-tech sectors (renewable energy sources, electric vehicles) coexist with systemic risks (high debt burden, dominance of the public sector, weak domestic demand). The author proves that Russia should not directly copy Chinese measures, but borrow the strategic approach that recognizes the demographic challenge as an imperative for a long-term course towards building an innovative knowledge-based economy.
Scientific novelty: the demographic factor was considered not as a background condition, but as the central determinant that exacerbates systemic imbalances and determines the choice of PRC’s development strategies. The research presents a comparative analysis of the applicability of the Chinese experience to Russia, with an emphasis on the fundamental differences between their political and economic models.
Practical significance: the study results can be used by Russian public authorities in developing long-term strategies for economic development and demographic policy. The results are valuable for the expert and academic community dealing with the problems of structural transformation and adaptation to demographic changes.

Objective: to identify and analyze the spatial mechanisms of the influence of key socio-economic and institutional factors on the innovative development of Russian regions in the context of Veblen dichotomy.
Methods: the study is based on 2017-2023 panel data for the Russian regions. Classical regression models (POLS, FE, RE) and a range of spatial econometric models (SEM, SAR, SAC, SDM) were used to test the hypotheses, allowing for spatial autocorrelation and overflow effects. Using the decomposition of effects in Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), the direct and indirect (neighborhood) effects of factors were estimated.
Results: the study confirmed that innovation activity enjoys a significant positive impact of instrumental factors, such as industrial production and educational potential, as well as a negative impact of ceremonial factors, such as social inequality and unemployment. The authors revealed a significant positive spatial dependence of innovation activity (λ > 0), indicating the presence of an “infection” effect between neighboring regions. At the same time, the quantitative assessment showed that direct (intraregional) effects predominate, while indirect overflow effects turned out to be statistically insignificant.
Scientific novelty: for the first time, the conceptual apparatus of Veblen dichotomy was integrated with modern tools of spatial econometrics for the Russian regions. It allowed quantifying the mechanisms of institutional structures’ influence on innovation dynamics, taking into account spatial interactions.
Practical significance: the results obtained can be used to adjust regional policy aimed at reducing social inequality and increasing innovation potential, taking into account institutional barriers and development resources.

Objective: to develop and test a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of scientific and innovative activities of Russian universities based on econometric modeling to identify key factors affecting revenues from R&D.
Methods: regression analysis of a sample of 99 leading Russian universities out of the RAEX top 100 in 2023 and 2024.
Results: the paper considers an urgent problem of evaluating the effectiveness of scientific and innovative activities of Russian universities. The analysis of existing approaches to assessment, including government monitoring and scientometric indicators, revealed their limitations and lack of objectivity. The econometric analysis revealed a statistically significant positive impact on the total income from R&D of the following factors: the number of full-time researchers, the number of academic Olympiads winners and prize-winners enrolled to the university, and the number of articles prepared in collaboration with foreign organizations. Labor productivity (income from R&D per a professor) is positively related to the proportion of young employees (under 40 years old), the proportion of experienced employees (over 65 years old), and the proportion of master's students in the total number of students.
Scientific novelty: a comprehensive econometric methodology was developed and empirically verified, that identifies new efficiency factors that previously had not been taken into account in such models (for example, the role of academic Olympiads winners and the personnel age structure). The results quantitatively confirm the hypothesis about the importance of human and social capital, as well as of international cooperation, for the financial results of universities’ scientific work.
Practical significance: the models proposed in the paper have a high explanatory power and can be used as a tool for benchmarking and rating the universities’ effectiveness in gaining income, including from R&D. This opens up new prospects for a more objective and comprehensive assessment of university performance.

Objective: to identify and analyze the economic effectiveness of the main financial tools and financing mechanisms in the field of waste management in Russia.
Methods: economic and statistical analysis, systematic approach, generalization, comparison, synthesis of data from Rosstat and reports of development institutes.
Results: the search for effective financing solutions for waste management is becoming strategically important in the face of economic challenges and growing budgetary pressures. The key success factor is the harmonization of the interests of the state and business in mobilizing internal resources. The study analyzes the methods and mechanisms of financing projects in the field of waste management. The environmental agenda attracts great attention, which is proved by an increase in waste management costs and investments in fixed assets. The increase in subsidies in this area, as well as the growth of the ESG bond market, show the need to modernize the waste management sector and create appropriate infrastructure. The authors revealed the high efficiency of the reviewed projects, which is confirmed by the positive net present value, stable annual revenues and profitability of waste recycling. The study also notes the environmental, economic, and social effectiveness of the projects (reducing СО₂ emissions, creating jobs, and replenishing budgets). The article identifies effective methods of attracting private investment: preferential loans, green bond issuance, project financing mechanisms, providing access to long-term capital and successful project implementation.
Scientific novelty: the authors propose to supplement the tools for implementing investment projects with modern and relevant financial instruments. They developed and presented a model of the financial and credit mechanism for financing waste management enterprises, which reflects key aspects of the market participants’ interaction and relevant financing methods, including those proposed by the authors. They also propose to supplement the toolkit with consolidated subsidies and pension reserves for green bonds, taking into account risks (sanctions, liquidity). Another proposal is to direct investments to targeted support of startups implementing innovative approaches and scientific developments.
Practical significance: the research results can be used to optimize strategies, develop effective financing mechanisms, and implement rational tools for project implementation.

Objective: to develop and test a methodology for studying the state of the regional market of tourism services (RMTS); to apply the methodology to identify and analyze the problems of RMTS development in Orel oblast.
Methods: the research is based on a systematic approach. The author used a set of general scientific and general logical methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, classification, systematization), as well as statistical analysis. The methodology involves the collection and comparison of data from official sources (Federal Tax Service, Rosstat, UIISS, sector registers of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development), and analytical digital services (Yandex.Wordstat).
Results: the author analyzed the approaches to studying the state of regional markets of tourist services in Russia, sources and systems of indicators used. The study substantiates the need to take into account the specifics of the RMTS formation under the modern conditions; to systematically use a wider range of sources and a system of indicators when analyzing its state to make decisions on formation and development. The author developed a methodology for studying the state of the regional market of tourist services, defined the research design, and detailed its content and sources of information. The methodology helped to identify the problems of RMTS functioning in Orel oblast.
Scientific novelty: the author developed a methodology and design for studying the state of RMTS, which comprehensively reflects the modern market structure, the composition of its participants and their digital activity. Unlike existing approaches, the methodology integrates the analysis of data from government and commercial digital resources and directly links the diagnosis with the identification of specific functioning problems.
Practical significance: the identified problem areas and specific problems of the RMTS in Orel oblast provide the executive authorities and the business community with an objective basis for developing targeted solutions and regulatory mechanisms aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth in the region. The methodology can be applied to analyze other regional markets.

Objective: to analyze current trends in the formation of alternative cross-border payment systems in the context of geopolitical fragmentation, sanctions pressure, and the formation of narratives of financial sovereignty of states. The author pays special attention to the role of Central Bank digital currencies (CBDC), digital financial assets and multilateral platforms as tools for de-dollarization and the creation of a multipolar global financial architecture.
Methods: the research applies general scientific methods of cognition (analysis, synthesis, system approach, modeling), an interdisciplinary approach involving theories of international relations (neorealism, world-system analysis, institutionalism, constructivism), as well as cluster analysis of geopolitical strategies and comparative study of architectures of digital payment initiatives (including the Bank for International Settlements projects like mBridge, Dunbar, Jura).
Results: the article identifies the main vectors, targets and tools for the implementation of alternative payment projects; assesses the advantages and risks of the Bank for International Settlements initiatives; and identifies four main geopolitical clusters with differing strategies for the development of digital payment systems: American-European (defensive), AsiaPacific (innovative and expansionist), Middle East (Sharia-oriented) and Latin American (inclusive). The author showed that the key barriers to the creation of universal alternative systems are regulatory inconsistency, technological incompatibility, and geopolitical opposition. Russia’s strategy is defined as “selective integration”, using points of intersection of interests between clusters to ensure financial sovereignty.
Scientific novelty: for the first time, an integrative model for the analysis of alternative payment systems was proposed, combining structural, ideological, strategic and domestic policy levels. The author introduced an original typology of geopolitical clusters of digital payments and substantiated the concept of “selective integration” as Russia’s strategy in a multipolar financial order.
Practical significance: the research results can be used in the development of national and international policies in the field of digital finance, in the formation of strategies for the creation of interstate payment platforms (within BRICS, SCO, and EAEU), as well as in the design of legal and technological solutions to ensure financial stability and sovereignty under the sanctions pressure.

Objective: to briefly review and evaluate the content of the article by a female doctor P. N. Tarnovskaya “Criminal anthropology and women’s criminality”; to determine its place among the author’s works and its scientific value for modern criminology.
Methods: the general scientific method of dialectical cognition, comparison, and the formal logical method (deduction, induction, definition and division of concepts).
Results: based on the content analysis of P. N. Tarnovskaya’s article “Criminal anthropology and women’s criminality”, this paper defines its significance in the formation of the author’s criminological and anthropological concept of studying female murderers. The author highlights the main provisions of the work, which subsequently enriched the mentioned concept. This is, first of all, P. N. Tarnovskaya’s criminological grouping of female murderers into six categories: 1) murderers out of self-interest; 2) murderers out of passion; 3) murderers motivated by marital discord and sexual aversion; 4) murderers motivated by a partial blunting of the moral sense; 5) accidental murderers; 6) mentally ill murderers. Of no less scientific value is the criminological grouping of crimes that are homogeneous in their external composition. Based on the motivation of criminal behavior, P. N. Tarnovskaya was the first to divide infanticides into two categories: infanticide caused by emotional movements (shame, fear, despair) and infanticide for personal gain.
Scientific novelty: for the first time, the author gives a historical and criminological assessment of P. N. Tarnovskaya’s article “Criminal anthropology and women’s criminality”, determines its significance for criminological science, and highlights its connection with previous and subsequent scientific works by that author.
Practical significance: the results obtained make it possible to change the view of P. N. Tarnovskaya’s research on women’s crime, shifting the focus from describing them to studying her concept of preventing women’s criminality, where the criminological grouping of female murderers was provided for the first time.

Objective: to study issues related to the illegal use of force by law enforcement officers against detainees, as well as to identify the impact of state laws on the rate of officer-involved deaths.
Methods: the article uses the universal dialectical method of cognition, as well as general (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) and specific scientific research methods (formal-legal method).
Results: while the public debates whether law enforcement has a problem with mis- or over-using force, the field lacks critical information concerning how often officers use force when interacting with citizens. Moreover, researchers have not examined how differences in how states restrict officers' ability to use force affect the frequency of force used. Consequently, the various reforms proposed have little evidence supporting them. Using data from Mapping Police Violence combined with census data, the authors examined the impact of the incorporation of U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence and the overall restrictiveness each state placed on law enforcement's ability to use force when making an arrest and what constituted reasonable force within each state. It was found that the state's population size and violent crime rate were strong predictors of the number and rate of officer-involved deaths.
Scientific novelty: The study showed that the incorporation of SCOTUS decisions within state laws, or the restrictiveness of state laws concerning how officers use force during an arrest, how officers use force to protect themselves or others, or the use of deadly force affect the number of officer-involved deaths that occur per year, nor the rate of officer-involved deaths per 100,000 residents per year. The bivariate analyses indicated that state laws concerning how officers use force may affect OIDs, but the inclusion of other relevant factors about the states in the multivariate analyses reduced those effects. Further, the state laws in question may not be the appropriate point to affect behavior. At this point, there has been comparatively less attention paid to state-level issues of what constitutes the reasonable suspicion necessary to begin an interaction through a Terry stop or issues where officers' behavior may have inadvertently escalated the situation to the point of using force.
Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering issues related to the impact of state laws on officer-involved deaths.

Objective: to study issues related to the lawyer and client interaction regarding building a legal position on the case and the plea process.
Methods: the article uses the universal dialectical method of cognition, as well as general (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) and specific scientific research methods (formal-legal method).
Results: As the United States has shifted to “a system of pleas,” the role of defense attorneys has swung from trial litigator to plea negotiator. The study results indicated that defense attorneys spend a significant amount of time meeting with clients. Attorneys also cited substantial deficits in criminal defendants’ knowledge of the legal system, as well as many misconceptions regarding legal procedures. The respondents provided a diversity of responses regarding the most important advice they offer their clients with many mentioning facts related to the case resolution process, the direct and collateral consequences associated with a criminal conviction, the role of the defense attorney, and the importance of the right to silence. Further, over half of the attorneys surveyed indicated a general hesitance and 15.0% – an outright refusal to provide an explicit plea recommendation to their clients.
Scientific novelty: The plea process is complex, and defense attorneys play a critical role in this process. The current work highlights how that role has potentially evolved – moving from adviser to educator and evaluator. More qualitative data collection like this is needed to illuminate how attorneys influence defendants’ decision-making rather than just whether they do and by how much. This type of research on “expanded criminal defense lawyering” often goes above and beyond typical outcomes, and instead focuses more on the process, such as plea negotiations and effective attorney-client communication, and often incorporates the defendants’ perspectives. Such studies will inform future avenues for research and how best to operationalize attorney-client communication. The research substantiates the need to reduce the burden on defense attorneys by making it easier for them to ensure that their clients are meeting the knowing and intelligent requirements for plea decisions.
Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering issues related to building a legal position on the case and the plea process.

Objective: to conduct a comprehensive macroeconomic assessment of the state of the Russian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector through the prism of a multicomponent model of well-being.
Methods: general scientific methods of structural and comparative analysis, as well as specific scientific methods (static analysis for processing data from Rosstat, the Russian Federal Tax Service, the Public Opinion Foundation; expert assessments for interpreting surveys; graphical analysis for visualizing dynamic series; modeling for developing a conceptual model of the SMEs well-being).
Results: the research substantiated the need to apply a comprehensive approach to the analysis of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as part of the concept of economic agents’ well-being. The author performed a theoretical analysis of the well-being phenomenon and formulated a definition of the small and medium businesses’ well-being. Based on the adaptation of C. Ryff’s six-factor model, the author developed and tested a seven-component model of the SME sector well-being at the macro level. The model components analysis revealed a contradiction: while national projects formally achieve some of the targets (number of employees, share in non-resource exports), the key indicator (SMEs’ share in GDP) remains stagnant at 20-22%. At the same time, there is pessimism in business sentiment, high tax and administrative pressure, a shortage of qualified personnel, a reduction in government support and a low level of trust in institutions.
Scientific novelty: it consists in the development of an original macroeconomic model of the SME sector well-being, expanded with the “Involvement in digitalization processes” component, which adequately reflects the modern economy challenges and allows overcoming the fragmented research in this sector.
Practical significance: the obtained results and the proposed model can be used by government authorities to adjust economic policies and support programs for SMEs, focusing them on solving systemic problems identified during the component analysis. The article materials are also applicable in scientific and educational activities for the interdisciplinary study of the phenomenon of economic agents’ well-being.