Theoretical approaches to determination of essence of the region and analysis of the problem of its development

The article describes the theoretical approaches to the concept «Region» in the national and world science. The authors study the essential content of this definition, and the principles of segmentation and delineation of open space into the separate regional units from the standpoint of the economy. The special attention is paid to the search for the place of the «Region» in the discourse of power in the region, as well as to the analysis of the situation in the economic regionalization of the Russian Federation. The authors define political expediency as one of the most determining factors, along with the geographical and economic background for the formation of the regional boundaries.