Social and economic development of regions: Problems of interregional differences and regional policy in Russia

Nowadays many countries face problems of significant inter-regional distinctions of territories. The main objective of the research is to develop an effective regional policy by dividing Russian regions into homogeneous groups in social and economic development sphere in order to conduct inter-regional comparisons, to research economic processes and to carry out effective regional policy. The analysis considers 83 regions of Russia and proposes 19 indicators, grouped into two macro categories -economic and social development. Essential interregional distinctions are revealed while analyzing separate and integrated indicators (for example, we can see the cases when the differentiation factor exceeds 20). The division of regions into homogeneous groups is held by establishing qualitative interrelations between groups of regions with close values of the chosen indicators. The analysis also shows preservation of long time stability of the given groups of regions. The qualitative analysis within each group separately reveals main causes of so significant interregional distinctions. First of all they are objective economic-geographical, social and political conditions, and also economic policy in regions. Research tries to provide analysis of the universal policy of alignment of regions which does not lead to positive effect, as long-term experience shows. The result of the study is the development of recommendations for formation of directions and principles of a federal policy of regional development and a policy of the regional authorities for each group of regions