Theoretical and Practical Aspects of the “Border Sociocultural Cluster” Concept in the Context of Modern Russian and Chinese Methodology
Authors:   ransbaikal State University (Chita, Russian Federation), Morozova Valentina S. ,   Higher School of Economics (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)
Published: June 2021

The term “cultural cluster” in recent years has been used extensively in the academic literature in the context of such areas as urban planning, cultural and economic geography, regional development, etc. However, the interdisciplinary aspect has deprived this term’s academic scope of a clear definition. The situation is complicated by the fact that the discussed concept implies an international component; therefore, its interpretation becomes even more specific. To solve this problem, the article presents a comprehensive review of the theoretical concepts of Russian and Chinese scholars. Based on the review, the author made a conclusion about a similar interpretation by Western and Chinese schools of thought of the sociocultural characteristics of a cluster with its sustainable competitive advantages, and also raised the question of the absence of a unified method of their measuring and evaluating. The author’s position is that the border sociocultural cluster is considered as a border formation of units with similar sociocultural characteristics (establishments of science and culture), which, through innovative mechanisms, raise the level of regional competitiveness. Proceeding from the intensification of clustering processes in the Russian-Chinese borderland, the author defines the features of the initial concept using the method of comparative studies, analyzes its specifics, focusing on the cultural and philosophical content (border ontological status, regional culture values, population’s similar ideological attitudes). The author compares Russia’s and China’s border areas clustering processes and determines their features. Thus, the clustering processes in the border areas of Russia and China as an innovative mechanism of the territories’ development are based, firstly, on the existing potential of regional cultures, which allows speaking about the sociocultural basis of this formation. Based on the above, the article substantiates the importance of including the scientific and educational component as a part of the sociocultural in forming the “border sociocultural cluster” concept. In conclusion, the author’s definition of the “border sociocultural cluster” is formulated, which, first of all, rests on cultural-philosophical reflection. Thus, the “border sociocultural cluster” is considered as a specific sociocultural formation, structured by the regional cultures of the border administrative-territorial units, but at the same time conditioned by the existence and functioning in three cultural dimensions – foreign, national and local. In this connection, the author proposes some recommendations for the border cluster policy development with an emphasis on the resources of a regional culture, which will contribute not only to strengthening the Russian cultural presence in the world, but also create favorable conditions for promoting the cultural and spiritual values of our country abroad.