Social Sciences and Contemporary World
«Social Sciences and Contemporary World» is an academic interdisciplinary scholary journal.
Media registration certificate: № FS 77 - 67156 dated 16.09.2016
Founder
Russian Academy of Sciences
Editor-in-Chief
Alexey Anatolyevich Gromyko, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Political Sciences
Frequency / Access
6 issues per year / Subscription
Included in
White List (level 2), RISC, List of the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK)
The journal was founded in 1976. The journal publishes articles on political science and law, economics and sociology, philosophy and history, cultural studies and psychology. Preference is given to research at the intersection of various disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences.
The journal discussed such problems as:
- economy, society, politics, culture of Russia and other countries;
- formation of a general scientific world view;
- features and prospects of transformation processes;
- interdisciplinary approach and methodology in Social Science;
- perspectives of the human being and world civilization;
- international relations, regional studies and modernization processes;
- interethnic relations.
Among our authors and readers are those who want to go beyond narrow field publications and narrow field thinking, who are interested in universal issues and trends, who want to navigate in a wide range of modern problems, who are trying to find new, non-trivial answers to traditional and modern questions of Russian life, identify trends in modernization processes in Russia and the world. The journal publishes articles by leading scientists in various fields, working at the institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and in leading universities in Russia and abroad.
Indexed: Web of Science.
Current Issue
Open Access
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No 6 (2025)
PH ILOSOPHY, VALUES, ETHICS
Traditional Values of Russian Society in the State and Scientific-Expert Discourse of Russia
Abstract
The article explores such issues as the place of traditional values in the modern political and ideological discourse in Russia, some questions about the role of traditional values in the context of ongoing geopolitical transformations, and the relationship between relying on traditional values and the formation of Russian identity and the consolidation of Russian society. The role and place of traditional values in the state policy of the Russian Federation is also explored and how they can be combined with modernization and innovation is examined.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):7-19
7-19
The Phenomenon of Sanction in Contemporary Moral Philosophy
Abstract
Two approaches to denying the existence of moral sanctions on the grounds that blame (the main candidate to be considered a moral sanction) does not meet the definition of a sanction are considered. The first approach underlines the fact that only a voluntary action directed at an offender can be called "sanction". Blame is an expression of moral evaluation, which occupies an intermediate place between reflex reactions and conscious choice, so it cannot be considered voluntary and, therefore, a sanction. However, one can clearly distinguish in blame two sides: an evaluative side, which is indeed largely involuntary, and an expressive one. The latter corresponds to the features of a voluntary action. The second approach is based on the claim that sanction presupposes the presence of preventive intentions in the mind of the individual imposing it. If blame is not based on such intentions, it cannot be a sanction. However, this conclusion is hindered by the fact that the absence of preventive intentions characterizes only truncated forms of blame, deviating from its paradigmatic model, in which blame is a message to an offender sent with the aim of changing his/her behavior. Hence, it is possible to consider blame as a moral sanction.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):20–31
20–31
The Social Essence of Postmodern Culture
Abstract
The social nature of postmodern culture including the causes and consequences of its formation and the place of this phenomenon in the historical process are studied. Such an analysis is of external essence to its subject matter. The Marxist concept of the social origins of postmodern culture theoretically removes alternative concepts to it and considers postmodernity as a manifestation of the evolution of the capitalist mode of production, the spiritual culture of late capitalism. The accelerated turnover of capital in the era of late capitalism means the rapid emergence and equally rapid disappearance of various cultural phenomena, the mass commodification of images, absolutization of subjective desires at the expense of objective truth and the dominance of “symbolic exchange” in all spheres of social life. Postmodern culture naturally generates “identity wars”, anti-democratic and anti-humanist tendencies that preserve the capitalist social order. This culture can only be overcome through the practical overcoming of the capitalist mode of production.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):32–42
32–42
SECURITY ISSUES
On Some Terminological Issues in the Theory of Military-Political Alliances
Abstract
This article critically examines the problems of terminology within contemporary military-political alliance theory. The study aims to clarify and classify the primary forms of state alignment, such as alliances, unions, coalitions, ententes, and strategic partnerships, which are often conflated in academic and political discourse. By systematically distinguishing these concepts, the author seeks to establish a coherent theoretical framework for analyzing interstate cooperation in the emerging multipolar world order. The research employs formal-logical and dialectical methods, alongside a comprehensive review of both Western and non-Western scholarship. The study’s novelty lies in its rigorous deconstruction of conventional application of the mentioned terms and their systematization. Key findings include a taxonomy of alignment forms, emphasizing their varying degrees of formality and depth. The main conclusion is that proper definition of state alignment forms (from strategic partnership to binding military alliance) facilitates the analysis of state interaction in the international arena. The study results are presented in a scheme demonstrating the interconnection of key terms.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):43–51
43–51
New Trends of Defence Procurement in India
Abstract
Key changes in India's defence industrial and arms and military equipment (AME) procurement policies of the past decade were reviewed, implemented as part of “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” courses. They included localization of production of weapons and their components, more active involvement of foreign and Indian private companies in production programs, adjustment of procurement and offset policy rules, encouraging defense exports and a number of other elements. It was studied how these changes in regulation of defense production and procurement affected the specific projects of India's main combat systems, including Tejas fighter, Vikrant aircraft carrier, Akash anti-aircraft missile systems and several others. Conclusions were drawn on positive and negative aspects of implementation of the “Make in India” course at the current stage of the country's military-industrial complex development.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):52–64
52–64
The Role of the UK in the JEF (Strategic Defence Review – 2025)
Abstract
During the second Trump presidency, the U.S. intends to shift its primary responsibility for the defense of Europe, creating a situation of uncertainty for European NATO members. In these circumstances, the importance of bilateral and mini-lateral military-political alliances for Britain is increasing. In light of the goals and objectives of the Defense Review 2025, London is strengthening the Joint Expeditionary Force military unit created under its auspices, and expanding its range of activities from the Baltic and North Sea to the North Atlantic and the Arctic, as well as to the south supporting the Kiev regime. The JEF is also actively trying to counter Russia's "shadow fleet" thus exacerbating the situation in the Baltic, including by practicing an attack on the RF. It is possible to create an analogue of the JEF in the Balkans, and expand JEF activities to the banking and digital spheres. Based on the study of doctrinal documents of the UK government, the activities of the JEF, and the studies of Russian and foreign researchers, it is concluded that the "Northern NATO" is deliberately escalating the situation in the region and beyond.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):65-79
65-79
EUROPEAN STUDIES
French and German Political Scientists in Search of a Common Future
Abstract
The new form of the national intellectual frameworks, the socio-political significance of scientific research of formats and processes that take place in the French and German intellectual framework, represent the topicality of this article. The subject of this article is an analysis of the current state of the French and German intellectual systems in the field of political science. This research is conducted in the context of the Franco-German tandem. The aim is to identify the range of topics, examine the content of this range, compare the two systems and formulate hypotheses that may further assist the study. The article is based on the work of leading scientific centers in France and Germany published from 2024 to June 2025. The authors have collected the material through a complete review of all the papers. The structure of the article is determined by research perspectives and has four parts. The first two are devoted to the analysis of the French and German systems. The comparison takes place in Part 3. The hypotheses are formulated in Part 4. The peculiarity of the methodology is that the authors first worked through the collected material autonomously. Scientific novelty is determined by the problem, the summary of the systems, the hypotheses about the impact of the research results on international and European relations. The article is of a discussion nature.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):80-91
80-91
Denmark: Between Atlanticism and Europeanism in the 21st Century
Abstract
The balance between Atlanticism and Europeanism in Denmark's foreign and security policy is analyzed by studying the external factors influencing the formation of these trends. The country's Foreign Policy and Security Strategies for 2022 and 2023, the EU Council Presidency Program for 2025 are studied and the transition from the "super-Atlanticism", typical for Denmark in recent decades, to a more restrained policy in relations with the United States is revealed as well as the increased attention to security and defense cooperation within the European Union. The conclusion is that in the foreseeable future, Denmark will remain firmly committed to Euro-Atlantic security and NATO, but will strengthen its presence in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy projects.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):92-102
92-102
Latgale as an Object and Subject of Contemporary Historical Memory Policy in Latvia
Abstract
The aim is to analyze the historical policy of collective memory in contemporary Latgale. It is assumed that Latgale acts both as an object and a subject of memorial culture in Latvia. The novelty lies in studying the current stage in development of historical policy in Latvia at the regional level. It is shown that the intellectual community of Latgale makes the main contribution to the transformation and development of memorial culture. It is assumed that at the regional level in Latgale, local social and cultural activists became the key agents of historical policy. The author points out that virtual spaces became the main space for the formation of collective ideas about the past in Latgale. The article shows that the memorial culture in Latgale has original sources, represented by political and intellectual traditions of the Latgalian movement. It is shown that the memorial policy in Latgale is secondary, since the regional form of historical collective memory reproduces narratives that form the historical memory of Latvia.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):103-115
103-115
The Bulgarian and Romanian Paths to Security
Abstract
Bulgaria and Romania were two special states of the Eastern Bloc, whose foreign policies were diametrically opposed to each other. While Sofia was heavily influenced by Moscow, Bucharest paid little attention to its interests. Currently, Bulgaria and Romania are members of the European Union and NATO. They support anti- Russian sanctions, provide military assistance to Ukraine, and advocate for increased defense cooperation with the United States and strategic autonomy within the European Union. This article explores the security and defense policies of Bulgaria and Romania during the era of bipolarity. The author identifies the features of the Bulgarian and Romanian communist regimes and their main threats, assesses the role of the Soviet factor, and concludes that certain foreign policy traditions and ideas about national priorities, which were formed during the Cold War, are still evident in the current politics of Bulgaria and Romania.
Social Sciences and Contemporary World. 2025;(6):116–126
116–126