The state legal aspects of regional functioning (a social and cultural approach)

The study deals with the establishment and evolution of regionalism in Russian society. The paper discusses several historical features of the current administrative and territorial structure of the state. The author analyzes the legal development stages of the term ‘region’ and considers the concepts of regional development and regionalism in works of Russian and international scientists. The modern social and cultural processes make it essential to assess the impact of traditions, customs, and cultural characteristics of the population of each region on the overall consolidation of the peoples of civil society. The historical stages of regional establishment reflect the challenges of regionalism in Russia. Public authorities develop various federal programs focusing on the equal distribution of social and cultural benefits among the constituent entities and the equalization of regional disparities. In the long term, these projects will enhance the quality of life of each region and, as a consequence, the population of the Russian Federation as a whole.