Socioeconomic Development of Russian Regions: Tendencies and Dependence from Relations with the Federal Center

In modern Russia, centralization has become so large that it often deprives the regions of independence and completely shapes their policies. However, simultaneously with this, the question arises, how does the nature of the interaction of the center with the regions affect their socio-economic development? To answer this question, the author, based on various indicators, introduces the index of social and economic development of the regions. Using the method of regression analysis, the author determines the factors (including interbudgetary interactions, the personnel policy of the federal center, the implementation of infrastructure projects, etc.), interrelated with the level of economic and social development of the regions. The results of the work show that gratuitous transfers have a negative impact on development, while the implementation of investment projects is positively correlated with these characteristics. Thus, the initiative investments of the center, rather than the stabilizing transfers to the regions, contribute to growth, rather than to maintaining the state of the region at a balanced level.