Aim. To reconstruct strategic guidelines in the political and religious activities of Alexander Nevsky in the context of global civilizational and geopolitical transformations. Methodology. The course of the historical process was simultaneously examined within the framework of various civilizational communities and their interactions. Rather than applying conventional analysis to the events of the 13th century in individual countries, an integrated version of the history of the century as a clash of various religious projects was proposed. Results. The obtained results substantiated the likelihood of the advancement and implementation by Alexander Nevsky of the soft power strategy, consisting in removing threats from the east and expanding the boundaries of the Christian civilizational area through the spread of Christianity among the Mongols. The article shows the importance of the Christian component in the 13th-century Mongolian community and its influence on the politics of the Mongols, which makes it possible to assess Alexander Nevsky’s strategy as realistic. Research implications. The theoretical significance of the study is determined by the rethinking of Alexander Nevsky’s strategy as an active policy of religious and ideological influence. The practical significance of the article is associated with its potential for the formation of a new cultural policy of Russia in the eastern direction.

Aim. To analyse the state activities of Alexander Nevsky as the prince of Novgorod, the great prince of Kiev and the great prince of Vladimir. Methodology. A comprehensive analysis of the state, political and military affairs of Prince Alexander Nevsky was conducted in the context of the struggle of the north-west of Russia against the aggression of German and Swedish feudal lords, as well as the relationship of the Russian lands with the Golden Horde. The article also focuses on the significance of Alexander Nevsky’s activities for Russian civilization. Results. The state activities of Alexander Nevsky played an important role in the struggle for the unity of the Russian lands and in the strengthening of the Russian Orthodox Church. Alexander Nevsky's refusal to fight the Golden Horde can be explained by the fact that the Mongols demanded tribute from the Russian lands. In addition, the Livonian Order was interested in establishing Catholicism in Russia. By submitting to Western missionaries, Russia would have lost not only its identity, but also the opportunity to regain its independence. Research implications. The findings can be used by the scientific community, educational institutions, relevant governmental agencies in their research and educational activities, as well as in spiritual, moral and patriotic education of students.

Aim. To study the history of the appearance of Prince Alexander’s sobriquet “Nevsky”, to establish an approximate time and reason for this title, as well as to elucidate any inconsistencies with the date of Alexander Nevsky’s birth. Methodology. The study was based on a comprehensive analysis of chronicle sources as the main type of written documents during the Rus’ period, reflecting direct and indirect information about Russian statesmen, with the involvement of other sources. Results. The obtained results allowed the genesis of Alexander Nevsky’s sobriquets to be traced. An approximate time, place and reasons for the establishment of the sobriquet “Nevsky”, generally accepted by scholars today, were determined. It is concluded that the prince was born in July 1220. Research implications. The findings complement the available information on a number of significant problems in the history of Ancient Rus’ and its notable statesmen in the 13th-16th centuries.

Aim. To provide a general description of the fortifications installed in a typical small town of medieval Rus - Rostislavl Ryazansky. Methodology. Based on an analysis of materials obtained during long-term excavation projects, hypotheses about the chronology of town defence architecture and the appearance of fortifications in the town under study were formulated. Results. The main stages in the construction of the town’s defensive structures were identified, along with their dating and the set of fortification elements. Research implications. For the first time, this study allowed a comprehensive description of fortifications in a small town, characterizing the dynamics of this process and the periods of prosperity and degradation. An important part of this study is a criticism of outdated ideas about Old-Russian defence architecture, in the place of which modern developments on ramparts as the ruins of timber-and-earth walls were proposed.

Aim. To determine the reasons for the interest of the first chief of gendarmes A. Kh. Benkendorf to the development of gold mining in Siberia, as well as to analyse the history of his own gold mining business. Methodology. The research methodology involved a collection and analysis of archival materials on the history of the Russian gold mining industry in the 19th century, as well as those related to the Imperial legislation regulating gold mining processes. The study was conducted based on the principles of historicism and comparative historical analysis. Results. It was found that A. Kh. Benkendorf considered the gold industry as the most important economic sector. The reason for establishing his own business in the field of gold production was to improve his family’s financial position. However, neither his heirs nor himself managed to achieve this goal due to their reluctance to participate actively in the process of gold mining. Research implications. The findings contribute to the study of the history of the Russian gold industry, as well as reveal a previously unknown direction in the biography of A. Kh. Benckendorf.

Aim. To elucidate the activities of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court during the post-war recovery of the national economy. Methodology. The research was based on an analysis of documents from the funds of the Krasnoyarsk Region State Archive (KRSA). The methods of comparative-historical and chronological analysis were used to investigate the functioning of the Soviet justice system in a particular region. Results. The main patterns in the activities of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court in the post-war period were revealed. Research implications. The research results contribute to the study of the activities of domestic justice and law enforcement authorities during the Soviet period.

Aim. To identify the factors that determined the special place of the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow in 1957 in the breakthrough of the Iron Curtain under the Cold War conditions. Methodology. The work was based on the principles of historicism, objectivity and consistency. The methods of comparative historical and historical analysis were used. A problem-historical analysis was conducted taking the social conditions of the Soviet period into account. Results. The festival opened a new page in the history of the country, changing the life of Soviet citizens in many respects. The festival broke through the Iron Curtain that had been dividing the world. After the festival, the Soviet country became more integrated and open to the world, followed by a warming of the social climate in the country. Research implications. The factors that determined the onset of a new dynamics in the relations between the countries in the midst of the Cold War were determined. A number of aspects in the history of cultural relations during the Cold War period were generalized. The findings can be useful for historians investigating the period of Khrushchev's Thaw and for understanding the current stage of international relations.

Aim. To investigate the process of obtaining visas for the leaders of the American Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as an international problem Methodology. The research involved an analysis of documentary materials of state and public organizations describing the events that took place in the USSR and the USA during the Сold War. The work was based on the principles of historicism using the method of systematic research, which allowed a deep scientific analysis of the problem under consideration. Results. The article demonstrates the important role of the policy conducted by the ROC as one of the key institutions of foreign policy relations between the world powers. Specific features of reaching the consensus on the most complex issues of international life were shown. Research implications. The article introduces new scientific data, which can be used as a basis for special courses on the history of the ROC, the Russian state and public organizations.

Aim. To analyse the migration policy pursued by the League coalition of right-wing parties and Five Stars Movement in Italy in 2018-2019. Methodology. The research methodology consisted in analysing the electoral programmes of right-wing parties in the field of migration using the methods of observation, synthesis, interpretation of results and content analysis. Results. The article explores the relationship between the Italian authorities and supranational authorities regarding Italy’s migration policy, as well as the contradictions between Rome and Brussels on key issues of migration regulation. The results of analysing the electoral programmes and decisions taken during the period of right-wing parties in power revealed that closing ports to those rescued at sea and limiting the types of protection provided to newly arrived asylum seekers were the main approaches applied by the Italian government to limit the number of arriving migrants. Research implications. The research results contribute to the study of the Italian migration policy and its adjustments under the influence of the 2018-2019 migration crisis in the European Union.

Aim. Using the example of the Second Austrian Republic, the article investigates the attempts to implement the ideas of people's capitalism in the Second Austrian Republic under the conditions of a powerful public sector in the market Austrian economy in the 50-60s of the 20th century. Methodology. The interdisciplinary nature of the research is determined by the use of factual materials from the history of the Austrian economy, sociology and political economy. The research was based on the principles of historicism and objectivity and the methods of historical science. The historical and systematic method allowed the author to elucidate the mechanism of constructing people's capitalism in the Second Austrian Republic as a certain system with its own logic of development, which closely interacted with the social and political systems of the country. Results. It is concluded that the Austrian right-wing socialists in the Second Austrian Republic went from promoting nationalization as a form of transition to a social state under the existing system towards actually rejecting nationalization and supporting the policy of reprivatization carried out by major financiers. Research implications. The findings can be used as a basis for an in-depth study of the political history of Western European countries, as well as for the preparation of textbooks and lecture courses on the modern history of Europe.

Aim. To consider the conditions and reasons for uneven and disproportional development of China’s regions during the 1978-1999 period Methodology. The historical approach and the methods of comparative historical analysis were used. Results. From 1978 to 1999, the regional history of the People’s Republic of China was accompanied by gradual changes and accelerated development of the eastern coastal regions. The eastern regions demonstrated an accelerated development, stimulating the country's economy as a whole. However, this unbalanced regional development exacerbated the existing imbalance between Eastern and Western China. Research implications. The results of the study can be useful for studying the historical experience of China and solving the problems of uneven and disproportional regional development.

Aim. To analyse the effectiveness of the Visegrad Group within the EU and its role in the regional cooperation in order to understand whether this group can serve as a proper model for European integration. Methodology. The research was conducted using the methods of qualitative research, content and discourse analysis of primary and secondary sources, and case study. The basis of qualitative research was formed by an analysis and interpretation of single treaties, declarations and other decisions made by the Visegrad Group throughout its functioning, which have had an important impact on the development of the region, single countries and the EU as a whole. Results. The findings confirmed that regional cooperation in a specific format is beneficial for the application of democratic principles during the process of regime transition. In addition, such a partnership is helpful in encouraging, developing and implementing projects representing common interests. Research implications. This research contributes to the studies of Central and Eastern Europe and can serve as a case study in the research of regional cooperation. From a practical perspective, the findings can be used to forecast possible cooperation and development in certain spheres of the studied region, which can be beneficial, e.g. when designing specific policies towards the Visegrad Group

This text is a translation of an article by the English historian and political scientist George Beardoe Grundy (1861-1948). Grundy is famous not only for investigating the history of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, but also for founding such an interesting research direction as political psychology. His whole career was connected with Oxford University. In this article, Grundy critically assesses Dickens’ conclusions about the existence of party politics in Ancient Sparta. Grundy singles out a number of directions in Spartan policy: the maintenance of the military efficiency of the Spartiate population; the maintenance of a direct sphere of influence in Peloponnese in the form of a league; the maintenance of a balance of power in Northern Greece; indifference towards affairs outside the mainland of Greece. The work was written in the genre of scientific criticism.