Article retracted

Using a comparative perspective the author reviews conceptual approaches of Russian and foreign researchers to the definition of state information policy. Author also formulates her own definition of state policy in the sphere of information technologies (IT).

Much of what previously characterized the language situation and language policy within states is transferred to the international level due to globalization. We are facing the growing importance of world languages, especially English. However, globalization (at least in the form in which it exists now) does not satisfy the need of identitification for the majority people (except, of course, those for whom English is a mother tongue). This situation can lead to conflicts and even question the effectiveness of globalization processes.

The article deals with the main aims of exhibitions and trade fairs and essential organizational differences between them. The exhibitions and trade fairs are understood as market activities at which goods, services and (or) information are demonstrated and spread and which are organized at fixed and regular intervals. Russia lacks single legislation in the sphere of exhibitions. Turning to the pre-revolutionary experience of exhibition the article concludes that noncommercial partnership could be the most suitable legal form for exhibitions

The article deals with the peculiarities of women promotion in executive and legislative branches inRussiaandFrance. Generalizations are made on the basis of 47 in-depth interviews with women in higher positions of power hierarchy, experts and chief executives. The study results reveal general and specific tendencies typical for the two countries. The research shows that inRussiathe promotion of women in power depends on the ‘will of the chief executive’ while inFrancethe promotion of women in power is the result of individual career strategies.

U.S.recently launched strategy of rebalancing to Asia worsens the atmosphere forChina’s energy security and increases the risks for energy transportation from Africa and theMiddle East. The diversification of energy sources is a reasonable strategic choice, so the importance of the Eurasian continent forChinaincreases. Central Asia does not play anymore a supporting role in the agenda ofChina’s energy security strategy. It is rather becoming a region of major strategic importance.

The analysis of regional cooperation in the non-Western world is attracting increasing attention of IR scholars. The SCO in this respect represents a unique case. It unites two major powers in Eurasia —RussiaandChina— and four Central Asian states within one regional cooperation framework. All the members share common concerns about traditional and non-traditional security threats. This perception defines a reasonable necessity to cooperate. However the assessments of the cooperation’s practical dimension vary significantly among researchers inRussia,China,Indiaand Western countries. Therefore the paper seeks to analyze the key diverging lines in the SCO research discourse. The paper argues that the differences in the research positions are mainly driven by the previous experience of regional or quasi-regional cooperation of the mentioned actors (Russia,China,India, theUSAand the EU) and their current political, economic and security aims in cooperation with Central Asian states.

Asian giants succceded in general development of education and science. At the same time Chinese and Indian government and experts understand well the disadvantages of their states and formulate the task to change the situation in the upcoming period. Such changes will help to shift the accent in development from high technologies to fundamental science. This will bridge the gap betweenChinaandIndiaand developed nations.

The article analyzes the differences in the national legal doctrines of the Asia-Pacific countries included in the Romano-Germanic legal family of legal systems. The article shows that various Pacific Rim countries of the same legal family have substantial differences between national legal systems. The article also identifies main trends of comparative legal studies development in these countries.

The article analyzes the features, similarities and differences of the legal systems of Russia and China and reveals that Russia is a more democratic state compared to China in the field of protection of the freedom of speech. The author concludes that Russia can influence China by methods of international treaties which allow cooperation between states with different state and social orders and by promoting the ideas of the freedom of expression through research exchanges.