Macro-regions in the Russian system of territorial administration: problems and prospects

The object of the study is the macroregion as one of the elements of the territorial management system, and its purpose is to identify the limitations and prospects for use in modern conditions of the zoning policy. Special attention is paid to determining the prerequisites for the successful implementation of this type of policy, carried out through the prism of an analysis of both Soviet and modern approaches to the allocation of macro-regions in the country's space. An important place in the conducted research is also occupied by the identification of a number of conceptual provisions that ensure the effectiveness of the implemented zoning policy, which makes it possible to use the results of the work carried out in the activities of authorities at various levels, which form and implement a system of measures aimed at ensuring the spatial development of the country and its individual territorial units. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is a set of scientific ideas in the field of regional economics and public administration, and its methodological base includes methods of synthesis and scientific abstraction. As a result of the conducted research, a method of express analysis of the implemented zoning policy is proposed, based on the characteristics of the triad of components of its success: target setting, criteria, mechanisms for achieving goals. It is shown that in Soviet practice, all the elements of this triad can be considered clearly defined and interrelated with each other; in the case of federal districts, the triad is transformed: one of its elements falls out of the system, which, nevertheless, does not significantly affect the resulting effect. The analysis of the approach to the allocation of macroregions proposed in the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation is carried out, which allows us to conclude that each element of the triad "goal – criteria – mechanisms" of the emergence of macroregions can be seriously criticized, which causes the lack of influence of this process on the situation in the country. The possibility of using a project approach to the formation and development of macroregions in modern rapidly changing conditions, involving their consideration as temporary associations, the rules of functioning of which are subordinated to the achievement of a specific and ambitious goal, is substantiated. A number of conceptual provisions are characterized that ensure the success of the implemented zoning policy and are based on the need to pay attention to each element of the proposed triad.