Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Qualifications and living standards of the lower Volga region

2012. №4, pp. 180-187

Shvedova Irina N. - Senior Lecturer, Astrakhan State University, 20a Tatishchev st., Astrakhan, Russian Federation, 414000, inshvedova@mail.ru

Kazachenkova Yelena V. - Assistant, Astrakhan State University, 20a Tatishchev st., Astrakhan, Russian Federation, 414000, inshvedova@mail.ru

The article employs a ’scorecard’ as an analytic tool for describing human qualifications and living standards in the lower Volga region. The main indicators of the analysis are the level and quality of life in the Astrakhan region, such as the cost of living, income, wages and expenditures. The assessment covers the regularity of changes in these parameters and the factors influencing them. The paper says leading social policies in a modern democracy often serve to determine the level of economic development, social stability and sustainability, as well as the quality and standard of living. Subsequently, the blueprint turns to the Russian Federation’s ongoing transition to a market-based economy. It says that Russia has made significant changes in the regulation of income, which primarily determine the well-being of its population. First of all, it has reduced the role of the state in this area, increased the autonomy of individual regions and enterprises, and raised the importance of market regulators. According to the critique’s view, on a personal level it is important to develop an enterprise policy regarding income, which takes into account the interests of different groups of workers and owners. This concept would also afford an effective system of employment and remuneration, and measures for the social protection of workers allowing them to lead a respectable life. The standard of living – a multifaceted phenomenon – would depend on a variety of factors, ranging from the territory where the population lives (geographical factors), and also including general socio-economic and environmental conditions, as well as the state of political affairs in the country. To some degree, the standard of living could influence the demographic situation plus the living and working conditions, and volume and quality of consumer goods. Perhaps, most significant of all, it would affect political, economic, social and environmental factors; and scientific and technological change. At its present stage of development, the Russian economy faces problems related to its living standards and other key factors. The document suggests at this stage that their resolution depends on the direction and pace of further reforms undertaken by the country and, ultimately, on political, economic and social stability. The commentary says that to address these challenges, Russia needs to put into effect a state-wide policy, the central point of which would cover the rights of man (including his physical welfare and social health).

Key words: quality of life,social standards,subsistence level,incomes,expenditures,wages

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