SCENARIOS OF SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA IN THE CONTEXT OF NATION-BUILDING
The article analyzes the problems of spatial development of Russia from the perspective of generalized trends and prospective probabilities. The importance of ensuring the unity and integrity of the country and its constituent parts, taking into account the socio-economic, political, legal and ethno-political parameters of the national and regional levels, is emphasized. The purpose of the article is to form a fan of scenarios for the spatial development of Russia based on a complex of internal and external factors in their interaction with the process and mechanisms of nation-building. The goal was achieved by using traditional methods of studying documents, system and comparative analysis. The study was based on a «situational» approach to political scenario forecasting. Analytical search scenarios were developed in this area. Plausible and unlikely scenarios of the optimistic and pessimistic spectrum are highlighted. The most acceptable scenarios in the internal dimension are «Asymmetric Russia» and «Consolidation of regions». In the external scenario - «Asian Russia», «Eurasian Russia» and «Russian-Belarusian Federation». The «Eurasian» one is named as the basic one. It is concluded that it is necessary to take into account new challenges and risks that can actualize catastrophic scenarios. Some recommendations are formulated to state authorities and management aimed at improving the political and legal mechanisms of spatial development.