Geopolitical and world-system factors of modern Russian territorial dynamics

The article is devoted to the analysis of the problem of the territorial integrity of Russia, posed by President V.V. Putin. The analysis of the problem was carried out on the base of the synthesis of the theory of geopolitical dynamics by R. Collins, the ideas of the world-system approach and the theory of social revolutions by T. Skocpol. The conditions and main factors that can lead Russian society to disintegration are described on the base of a general model of the growth and decline of the state's geopolitical power in the modern world-system. A number of structural differences have been established in the characterization of historical cases of the collapse of the Russian statehood and their comparative analysis with the current situation is carried out. The author concluded that the fears expressed by the President of Russia about the possible collapse of the state are confirmed by the results of scientific analysis based on proven theories. Broad scientific and expert discussion is necessary for reasonable recommendations to eliminate the existing danger.