This article refers to the contemporary situation in the Russian economy and in the Russian capital economy. Economy in Russia is based on the extraction of raw materials. However, in 2010 economic forecasts for the country were optimistic. In this period economic development was strong and the country became a member of the BRICS group. One of the issues of the Russian Federation economy was the backing of the old system. Most investments were focused on the energy sector when in the public sector the changes were smaller. To increase revenues and funds big reforms are necessary and new investments. One possibility to improve the economic situation is to focus on greater extraction of raw materials. Another option is to resign from a monocultural economy. The situation in Moscow is better than the general economic situation in the Russian Federation. GDP increased regularly. In 2008 Russia took 15th place in the ranking of the hundred largest cities GDP. Th e Moscow economy is based especially on the trade of energy resources. Moreover, profi t is gained from business activities and industry. The level of unemployment in Moscow is the lowest in comparison to all regions. In the capital city it fluctuates between 0,5% and 1%. A major problem in the capital city is the constant immigration from other part of the Federation and other foreign countries. In majority, people who come to Moscow are the job seekers. Also the signifi cant problem is ubiquitous corruption.

The aim of this paper is an analysis of the formation and functioning of the anti-corruption system of Ukraine: National Agency on Corruption Prevention, National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, National Bureau of Investigation and National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes. The study stresses that despite the strong regulatory framework created to prevent and combat it, corruption remains a systemic problem that exists at all levels of government in Ukraine. The above-mentioned bodies have been created taking into account the European experience in the formation of anti-corruption bodies in the system of government, their activities are aimed at overcoming corruption in the country. The article highlights the feasibility of the existence and functioning of anti-corruption bodies and substantiates the importance of all their powers in the field of preventing and combating corruption. It has been concluded that these bodies need further improvement to combat corruption more effectively.

The article presents the methodological concept of the study of criminal law support for combating corruption bribery in Ukraine. At the same time, the study of criminal liability for corruption bribery should be based on an appropriate methodological basis. Successful choice of methods of scientific knowledge has a direct impact not only on the research process but also on its results. To obtain reliable conclusions, it is unconditional to use the widest possible methodological tools, taking into account the peculiarities and specifics of the field of research. The protection of human rights in Ukraine today is inextricably connected with combating such a negative phenomenon as corruption. This thesis is declared by a number of international legal agreements, laws and regulations of Ukraine. The European standards of combating corruption in the paradigm of the rule of law exactly allow to increase the effectiveness of the efforts of the Ukrainian society in this direction. The above allows us to formulate a methodological concept for the study of criminal law support for combating corruption bribery in Ukraine. Research of criminal liability for corruption bribery should be carried out from the standpoint of a binary approach:

1. To find out the cause and conditions of occurrence, as well as certain characteristics of the phenomenon itself – deviant behavior in the form of corrupt bribery.
2. To develop the concept of criminal law counteraction to corruption bribery and development of substantiated scientific recommendations on the construction and content of relevant criminal law norms-prohibitions.

At the same time, the theory of social naturalism should be chosen as the primary source of worldviews for the study of criminal liability for corruption bribery. This will allow developing new concepts for the formation of law-abiding behavior in the anti-corruption sphere by reassessing the means of legal regulation, partial rejection of positivist principles and the introduction of natural – naturalistic approaches to the formation of criminal law.

Socio-political Reforms in Uzbekistan during the Presidency of Shavkat Mirziyoyev

The paper aims to present various aspects of the reform process initiated and implemented by Shavkhat Mirziyoyev, the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, since 2016. The main subjects of consideration are vectors of political change in the spheres of institutions of political power, economy and foreign policy in the broader context of the legacy of the first president Islam Karimov’s reign and the heritage of the Soviet period. The fundamental reforms have embraced democratization of political system, fight against corruption, extension of civil rights and abandoning of isolationism in international relations, and are sometimes decribed as the „Uzbek Thaw”. However they seem to be very meaningful, one will be able to evaluate their significance for the statehood of the independent Uzbekistan only from the perspective of future decades.

Corruption as a disorder of interpersonal communication in the teachings of Pope Francis

The Pope, as the head of the Church and the head of the State, is obliged to undertake appropriate forms of criticism and counteract the improper functioning of the institutions of the Church and the State. The point is that the task of politics and the state is to strive for the common good, and one of its functions is to integrate society. In both cases, there must be undisturbed communication, and this is precisely what corruption is disturbing. In the teachings of Pope Francis, a corruption disorders a communication in a way that it creates crisis of trust and arouses suspicion among the people. It ignores the truth which is a guarantee of clarity and understanding. The corruption, that grows and continues to evolve, is transmissible and it justifies itself by creating its own doctrine. Corruption is a rejection of solidarity. Pope Francis says about halitosis and sclerosis of a spiritual heart. He says about a sin and a corruption. Corruption evokes a social paralysis, which unfortunately is paid for by the poorest. Francis claims that it is not enough to sentence corrupted people, but it is important to pray for their conversion.

Corruption in local government units in Poland – sources and causes

The aim of this paper is to present the problem of corruption in local government entities. It addresses the sources and causes, as well as attempts to completely eliminate corruption from public life. The article serves as a review and introduction to the issues related to corruption in local government, its sources, and causes.