CC BY
126DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE USA
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14420/en.2014.1.6
Antonina Sharkova, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of Department ‘Economy of organization', Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, e-mail: sharkova_av@mail.ru.
Irina Alieva, fourth-year student, Faculty of International Economic Relations, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, e-mail: alieva_iz@mail.ru.
Valeriya Monakhova, fourth-year student, Faculty of International Economic Relations, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, e-mail: emprero@list.ru.
In context of recovery of modern global economy there is a visible trend of social partnership development in the majority of countries. The article deals with socio-economic issues of Russia and the USA. Authors explain in detail the future of Russian and American socioeconomic projects in context of the business climate development of the two countries. Both countries have significant experience in this sphere that is why the cooperation in this field will be doubly important for them. In the article a detailed analysis of Russian socioeconomic project “Camp for you” is presented. socio-economic projects, volunteering, Russian-American cooperation, social entrepreneurship, disabled people, social entrepreneur, social enterprise, social justice, social initiative.
1. Introduction
In context of recovery of modern global economy there is a visible trend of social partnership development in the majority of countries. Unlike traditional entrepreneurship, which is focused on the deriving stable profit from the production, social entrepreneurship, first of all, is aimed to solve social problems and, in most cases, to help the most vulnerable segments of the population - people with disabilities. The best reward for them is the recognition of their significant place in the society and feeling of being an important part of the whole community. That is why the governments of most countries, after all, consider social entrepreneurship as a tool to create a stable economy, which certainly contributes to accelerating its growth and building an equitable society.
Social entrepreneurship is a relatively new phenomenon in the Russian practice. Russian applied scientists consider the international experience of such business activities with regard to the possibilities of its application in modeling
Abstract.
Keywords:
the legal structure of meeting the socio-estate needs in order to establish it in modern Russia. And the most promising is to focus on social entrepreneurship in the USA taking into account its diversity and research potential and to identify the possibility of its relation with the Russian market.
2. Overview of socio-economic activities in Russia and the USA
No doubt, the USA has considerable experience in the socio-economic sphere. Such notions as “social entrepreneur” and “social enterprise” began gaining popularity in the United States back to the nineties. In particular, structure called «Social Enterprise Initiative» was created in Harvard in 1993 in order to study the experience of social enterprises, as well as to train and consult those social entrepreneurs of profit, non-profit and public sector, who wish to improve the living conditions of their communities. Nowadays, American social entrepreneurs, largely responsible for the effective functioning of the national economy of the USA, are seeking new ways to increase the productivity of their work, which largely depends on close interaction with government authorities.
As for Russia, the process of economy transformation to a qualitatively different state began in the late 1980s. It is currently characterized by dramatic changes in the structure of productive capabilities of society, the content of human activity, and the role of the state in the management mechanism. New social institutions are developing now, the system of basic legal norms is improving, and Russia strengthens its positions on the international level that, in turn, contributes to the strengthening of the market relations with the USA.
A strategic goal of further cooperation between Russia and the USA is the achievement of social and economic levels in the external relations of the two countries, which would be appropriate to their status of superpowers on the world stage. The implementation of this goal would establish a new image of the future joint development of Russia and the USA by the end of the next decade. High rates of socio-economic development of both countries will certainly indicate that.
3. Analysis of socio-economic policies of the Russian Federation
and the United States of America
Integrated management and regulation of joint social and economic activities of both the domestic and international scales are vital to achieve the goal of further cooperation development between Russia and the USA. This implies the achievement of high standards of personal safety, the availability of education services of the required quality and the maintenance of the environmental security through the cooperation of the two countries.
According to forecasts, Russian GDP in purchasing power parity per capita will increase to $19,735 by 2015. By 2015, more than 70% of Russian children and youth will receive secondary and higher education. The share of the population living in adverse environmental conditions will fall to 14%. Due to the improvement of human welfare, mortality level is expected to decrease by about two times. All these parameters should be considered not only separately, but also in comparison with the indicators of other countries, particularly with the American ones.
LAW AND MODERN STATES
As for the forecast for the USA by 2015, the GDP in purchasing power parity per capita will be $52,393. Currently, the number of young Americans with higher education has reached record levels. One third of people aged 25-29 years now has the diploma of bachelor. About 90% of young people have finished high school or its equivalent, and 63% studied at the university for some time. American President Barack Obama has set a task to USA to be the leader in the number of young people with education above the secondary to 2020.
Strengthening of the institutions of economic freedom and justice, such as the constitutions of Russia and the USA, takes place at the present stage of development of these countries. This, in turn, means the guaranteed realization of citizens’ rights, an improved system of democratic institutions, and also creation of effective instruments of legal regulation and law enforcement. In this case the policy of two countries should be aimed at the expansion of the freedom of entrepreneurship, maintaining the effectiveness of state and municipal management. Priority of the foreseen activities will be the assertion of the social justice principle.
No doubt, that the main principles of American and Russian society interaction are trust and responsibility. Russia and the USA are taking measures to exclude one-sided socialization. Obtaining this goal is possible only by means of ensuring equal opportunities for social mobility of gifted persons of all layers of society, and also by pursuing a policy of support to vulnerable segments of the population. In a word, Russia, as the USA did before, took a course of socioeconomic policy aimed to improve the quality of life and the standard of living of certain social groups. The main areas of social policy of the two countries are education and health, under which it is necessary to implement the relevant socio-economic projects, which play an important role in the development of the Russian and American economy.
Socio-economic projects play an important role in the economic development of Russia and the USA. The infrastructure of effective support of small and medium business, carried out by public institutions in the face of the Administration of small business, and the numerous private foundations, and other civil society institutions is highly developed in the United States. However, the specifics of support of the third sector and social enterprises, in particular, require a special approach. It is necessary to point out that in the USA the Government provides substantial assistance to the development of social entrepreneurship, principally in the following 5 areas:
- motivation of social innovation;
- creation of favorable conditions of the development of social initiatives;
- recognition and promotion of successful social initiatives;
- assistance in the expansion and development of successful social initiatives;
- dissemination of the information about the effectiveness of social
entrepreneurship.
It is known that the most difficult period of operation for small enterprises is the starting one (first 2 years) during which 1/3 of newly established enterprises
is closed. More than a half of the starting enterprises cease to exist within the first 4 years of operation. The circumstances are even more difficult for starting social enterprises, which enter the market of public services with a new initiative. In order to support social enterprises in this difficult period of their formation, they can be provided with the financial assistance of such funds like ««Echoing Green» and «Ashoka». In addition, a number of universities are sponsoring competitions for the best social innovations through research and educational programs, as well as providing financial assistance to the initiators of new social ideas. As for the Russian Federation, the Government annually adopts a decision to finance the socio-economic projects, the aim of which is the personal development of each Russian citizen and society in general. The main tasks of socio-economic projects consist of the provision of social assistance to vulnerable groups of citizens, improving the quality of life of the Russian people, and provision of social guarantees.
The Russian and American socio-economic projects include implementation of state action in the field of specific public tasks aimed at improving the economy of the countries through the development of their societies.
4. Factors influencing the development of socio-economic projects for children in Russia Sustainable growth of the birth rate as well as increase of the welfare of citizens of the Russian Federation made a significant positive impact on the development of the social-economic projects. As we can observe, in 2013, the birth rate reached the number mortality and sustainable natural population growth was achieved, thus, it will affect the increase of potential camps clients the future1
Fig. 1. The demographic situation in Russia from 1950 to 2013
Another important factor that affects the development of business projects is the level of salaries. According to Rosstat, the growth rate of average monthly
1 Demography // Federal State Statistics Service. - URL: http://www.gks.ru/wps/wcm/connect/ros-stat_main/rosstat/ru/statistics/population/demography/#.
nominal wage per employee in the Russian Federation amounted 112,6% in February 2014 compared to February 20131. The profits of the population of the Moscow region (where the project is located) in January 2014 increased in comparison with the previous year and constituted 105,2%, which also confirm the improvement of prosperity of citizens. Undoubtedly, it will contribute to the increase of expenses of citizens for education and health care.
It should be mention that the increase in services consumption took place in the winter, the growth rate in February 2014 amounted to 101,0% compared to the same period last year. Thus, in turn, explains the increased interest of not only unprivileged classes but also middle classes about socio-economic projects. Also we should pay attention to the fact that it was a boost in revenue as well as with expenses in comparison with December 2013, in particular the increase in profits in the Moscow region amounted to 142,6% in relation to November of the same year, and the growth rate of expenditure amounted to 115, 8%. Of course, this shows the purchasing activity of citizens in the period of New Year holidays, but we also pay attention on the fact that many families use the services of the camps during new year holidays, so this surge will certainly contribute to the increase of potential customers.
It should be noted that the increase of sales of tours on the territory of the Russian Federation to Russian citizens took place: in 2012 there were 33 thousand tours more than in 2010. It indicates the economic recovery after the crisis of 2009 and the increase in solvent demand for tourist services.
Every year the number of children rested in camps in the Moscow region is increasing: in 2011, the figure was just over 159 thousand people, while in 2012 it has almost doubled and amounted to 280 thousand people (Fig. 2).
The number of children rested in camps in the Moscow region (ths people)
300 250 200 150 100 50 0
2011 2012
Fig 2. The total number of children rested in the camps in the Moscow region in 2011 and 2012
1 Salary // Federal State Statistics Service.- URL: http://www.gks.ru/wps/wcm/connect/rosstat_main/ rosstat/ru/statistics/wages/labour_costs/#
It should be stressed that more than 480000 children live in the Moscow region, so the demand for such services as children's tourism will only increase.
According to the newspaper “Moscow today”, the trend to reduce a number of camps in the Moscow region exists. That shows that less competitive camps leave the market of children's leisure because of the low quality of services. At the same time we can talk about some “recovery” of the industry, as the market consists of only those organizations, which are able to provide high-quality services. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that every year the state allocates more resources to support industry. As you can see on the Fig. 3, in 2013, the consolidated budget of the Moscow region was aimed at holding children's health campaign (including the financing of the camps and providing healthcare services for children). It spent 267,9 million rubles more than in 2012. Of course, this will make a huge impact on the number of camps in the area, as well as on the improvement of service to those organizations that already have experience in the field of children's leisure and recreation.
Fig 3. Budget expenses for holding children’s health campaign and the number of camps in the Moscow region
In conclusion it should be stated that the effective government is vital for economic prosperity, development of education and health, and reduction of social inequality. However, the state is not seen as a direct participant in economic growth, but as a guarantor of law, stability of the political and macroeconomic environment, social security and education, since social business becomes a driver of economic growth. As it was noted earlier Russian business climate is favorable for the creation and promotion of projects because of the demographic situation and various economic indicators improvement.
5. Estimation of cooperation between Russian and American socio-economic projects Striking examples of Russian socio-economic projects are national priority ones. They are all called «Global program», carried out in Russia since 2006. They include «Health», «Education», «Sport», and «Development of agriculture»
programmes. Well-known American socio-economic projects are «Independent Transportation Network» (ITNAmerica) and «Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers Inc.» (TROSA).
ITNAmerica is a social enterprise that was created for the safe, secure transportation of disabled people, so they could have an opportunity to get to any place at any time. This service allows many people with disabilities to move freely for personal reasons and to play an active role in social life. The idea was implemented through the combination of modern information technologies with the help of local communities. Drivers, who are involved in the implementation of transportation services for persons under this program, get the support of local business communities, who provide them with the incentives for the purchase of used cars and their maintenance. The experience of ITNAmerica has successfully spread around the country, so that many American cities created affiliated organizations. As for TROSA, it provides long-term support to people with low income. This company has worked out a program for providing long-term (up to 2 years) social aid to local residents. The program includes such types of longterm care as counseling, education and training. The novelty of this program is that the participant actually does not pay. In fact, the payment for them is in the labor participation; it can be used in the implementation of this program or at working in the TROSA Company. Those covered by the program can work as auxiliary workers, drivers or warehouse workers and have simple administrative functions but without any payment. Thus, the 2/3 of the financial stability of the social program in the conditions of low-income markets is covered by the revenue from the unpaid labor of social assistance users.
It should be noted that the biggest part of Russian and American projects in the sphere of social entrepreneurship are designed to alleviate the problems of the disabled and the poor people.
However social entrepreneurship in Russia is supported by a quite limited number of non-profit organizations and funds as opposed to USA. In fact, it shows the level of development of economy sector in Russia and the USA.
The trend of implementation and realization of socio-economic projects, in general, contributes to the development of social entrepreneurship in the two countries. One of the main tasks for the Russian and American governments is the joint cooperation in the field of socio-economic issues.
Disabled people Children, youth Low-income people Others
Fig 4. The target groups of social entrepreneurship in Russia1
In Russia, as well as in the USA, social entrepreneurship can get support from the government, especially, it concerns the organizations that provide educational and entertainment services for children. According to the Fig. 4, the projects aimed at mitigating the social problems of children and young people constitute a significant part of public funding. In spite of this fact, the number of children's camps in Russia doesn't increase despite of growing demand for their services. Unfortunately, with a tendency of reduction in the number of camps, that provide educational and entertaining services for children without physical disabilities, it is clear that a great lack of such camps for handicapped children is even more. The Russian Federation solves this problem by the introduction of new special socio-economic projects and their development in the context of Russian-American socio-economic cooperation.
The development of an innovative economy is impossible without development, building human capital and intensity of human use of its potential. The crisis gave a new reference point in the development of economy and the formation of human capital. Undermanning of companies causes the necessity of recruitment of foreign specialists2.
One of these new socio-economic projects is “Camp for you”. It offers the following services: language courses, health care services and entertainment programme for children with and without disabilities.
An evident idea became the benchmark for the creation of the project «Camp for you»: people with disabilities, especially children, should live and study among healthy children in order to feel themselves valuable members of the society. The project «Camp for you» is aimed at implementation of this idea into life. It aims at socialization of handicapped children and healthy ones in the process of their joint interaction.
Camp allows children to overcome language barriers, and psychological
1 Zvereva N. Social entrepreneuship: a look into the future // New Business: social entrepreneuship. - URL: http://www.nb-forum.ru/interesting/experts/sotsialnoe-predprinimatelstvo-vzglyad-v-buduschee. html.
2 Sharkova A.V., Merzlova M.P. The factors of formation and development of human capital in the innovative economy // Law and the modern states. - 2013. - No 4. - C. 9-13.
ones that handicapped children usually have. The program takes into account the differences of physical and mental activities of handicapped children.
The novelty of the project is next: it provides educational, entertaining and health-improving programmes together. The educational programme includes the English lessons, which focus on developing the comprehension and improving the conversational skills. It is worth noting that the lessons are conducted by volunteers from English-speaking countries, in particular from the USA. Surely, American volunteers are important for Russia in order to develop the socioeconomic relations with the USA. The entertainment program includes outdoor games, creative activities, evening performances and etc. The program of the project includes meetings with disabled people who have achieved success in their lives. The medical treatment includes complex of health resort services. For each handicapped child an individual program of treatment for the disease is thoroughly worked out, and all healthy children receive health care treatment.
This project is expected to make a great impact on the personal growth of handicapped and healthy children in the process of communication. 'Camp for you' is aimed at the development of communicative skills of handicapped children to prevent the development of inferiority sense in communication with healthy children. The main goal of this project is the adaptation of handicapped children for further stay in such camps abroad, particularly in the USA, for their further training.
The USA, as a leader in the field of social entrepreneurship, can offer Russian camp cooperation with existing American camps for handicapped children.
For example, nowadays in Texas, there is «Lions Camp» for children with disabilities. It was established in 1949 in response to an outbreak of polio, which changed the lives of many Texans, including the Texas children. Now the children with special needs from all corners of the USA participate in camp activities. The camp provides its services for children with the first type of diabetes, as well as for those with cancer. The mission can be defined as promoting «Can do» philosophy to the participants of the camp, so they can develop together with their coevals. Every summer more than 1500 American children visit this camp.
Cooperation between two camps - American and Russian - will, certainly, contribute to the development of socio-economic cooperation between Russia and the USA. A specific course of events will be determined by the strategic interests of both countries and by efforts to overcome barriers and prejudices that exist. Two projects - the Russian «Camp for you» and the American «Lions Camp»
- were realized in order to solve important social problems. Undoubtedly, those social-economic projects play an important role in the social policy of Russia and the United States that form a strong international democratic society.
6. Conclusion
Evaluating the current situation, it is obvious that the socio-economic projects play a significant role in the development of the Russian and American societies as a whole. The success of such projects highly depends on how social policy is pursued by these States. With the wide support of the government
and the private sector, and the development of socio-economic cooperation between Russia and the USA such projects will improve the level of education and healthcare and influence the economic situation. Today, the modernization and improvement of socio-economic structures of these states are a priority for the Russian and American societies. It is obvious that it will take a long time, nevertheless, the governments have to take the responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the modernization process in their different aspects and spheres: economic, political, social, etc. In our opinion, the cooperation of the two states and their societies will make a huge impact on the policy of global socioeconomic system improvement, introduce more important international projects and, in turn, contribute to the strengthening of Russian and the USA status of superpowers and form a new image of the Russian and American societies: fair and socially responsible.
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