ABSTRACT
In concluding this work, the very basic question of the efficiency of regional policy must be the focus. At present, both in scientific literature and in the policy arena, there is a polarization in the evaluation of the role of the state (and regional policy). Former Socialist countries more often support the notion of the unlimited opportunities of the free market. Conversely in the West, the rise of the dirigist approach, planning and the state regulation of socio-economic life is once again evident (Artobolevskiy, 1990). It appears that controlled Darwinism (a term of Professor Kuklinski) ie. the controlled competition between regions, is most appropriate for the Russian case. The importance of social factors needs to result in greater attention being paid to regional problems (as well as national-political issues).
