Categorial and conceptual apparatus of new regionalism formation

Abstract

Introduction. The process of a new regionalism formation in Ukraine has become the subject of the study. Its conceptual and categorical apparatus has been determined.

Purpose. The article aims to ground the author's interpretation of the concept "regionalization" on the basis of analysis of the "regionalization" concept which is provided by researchers of various scientific schools and their critical analysis. It will help to clarify the categorical and conceptual apparatus of a new regionalism.

Method. The author has used general scientific methods of research and specific methods of scientific knowledge. In particular, there have been used the monographic method and the method of generalizations (to make the comparison of concepts regionalization); the method of analysis and synthesis (to determine the most important essential factors of the "regionalization" concept).

Results. The results of analysis of essence interpretation of the «regionalization» concept make it possible to come to the following conclusions. In terms of spatial and territorial aspects regionalization has three forms: first form is the so-called "regionalization – from the top" (when within the state the regions with administrative boundaries are determined); second form is the so-called "regionalization – from the bottom" (when within the already formed administrative schematization the region can be separated; third form is the so-called "regionalization – horizontal" (when the associations of the regions are formed or those can be the cross-border regions and units). Regionalization is often associated with new spatial and territorial entities at different levels in order to obtain competitive advantages in the context of the formation of an information society. Regionalization is considered as a mechanism of regional social and economic policy, a variety of innovation activities, and the emergence of interstate relations; as a process of institutional change, territorial division, regionalism, decentralization, the choice of a political course. It has been found out that regionalization, in our opinion, is primarily a certain process, which is confirmed by the discourse on the essence of this concept, which is based on the principle of subsidiarity and decentralization of authority.

Scope of results. It has been provided the author's interpretation of the "regionalization" essence as a multidimensional process of increasing autonomy and increasing the importance of regions at the level of different territorial entities, which is accompanied by institutional changes, can contribute to the clarification of the conceptual and categorical apparatus of a new regionalism theory.