Legislative possibilities in the system of state regulation of the development of the Arctic territories

Abstract

The increased interest in the Arctic is associated with the strengthening of its importance as a strategic resource base of the Russian Federation, ensuring the solution of the issues of the country's socioeconomic development. Harsh northern environmental conditions , the underdevelopment of the transport network and infrastructure, limited energy supply and other become a serious obstacle to the further development of the northern and arctic regions and the creation of favorable conditions for the population life. These circumstances require the development and formation of special legislation that takes into account the specifics of the Arctic zone. The aim of the study is to systematize the measures of the regulatory support of the population's residence and carry out economic activity in harsh northern environmental conditions as a basis for developing additional incentive mechanisms for the development of the Russian Arctic. The method of content analysis of the regulatory framework and a method for analyzing data on Arctic projects and programs are used in this study. Authors found that, the privileges and preferences fixed in legislative acts and taking into account the northern (Arctic) specifics are provided exclusively for the population. However their action far incompletely compensates for the discomfort of living in these regions. The toolkit to support the activities of economic entities and create favorable conditions for their functioning is presented mainly by the Tax Code with minimal consideration of the signs of "northernness". The competences of regional authorities in matters of stimulating economic activity are significantly limited. The most efficient tool of the state support still is presented by the state programs focused on solving problems of the national scale and developing commercially unprofitable spheres. Their disadvantage is limited duration and narrow focus. The main conclusion was that active economic development of the North and the Arctic, harsh climatic conditions and other restrictions require the separation of these territories into an independent object of state regulation with the development of special mechanisms and legislative norms ensuring the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Arctic regions.