Verification of the neo-Marxist concept of global semi-periphery (on the example of the role of the migration factor)

Neo-Marxism world-system analysis was an effective means of the understanding of the postcolonial global order. The concepts of «core», «periphery» and «semi-periphery» reflected the dependent development of states in the global capitalist system. Capitalism structured the global order in the classical Marxist dichotomy of exploiters and exploited which can be represented with various subjects (states, groups of states, territories) and which according to neo-Marxism can’t disappear, because it reflects the essence of global antagonism. However, the realities of global development at the end of the 20th century demanded that neo-Marxism should reconsider the rigid link between the core-peripheral approach and the horizontal vision of the world: globalisation caused massive flows of migrants to highly developed countries and the gradual blurring of the boundaries between the core and periphery. There was the question in neo-Marxism which was about the ability of capitalism to preserve the core-peripheral organisation of the global division of labour. There was the idea that capitalism was able to reproduce core-periphery relations within the core states by including immigrants in the super-exploitation of labour through a covert policy of neo-racism. Such a vertical organisation of the core-peripheral model around the world, which was called dual society in neo-Marxism, would mean the formation of the global semi-periphery. The purpose of the article is to verify the neo-Marxist concept of the global semi-periphery using the example of the role of the migration factor in its formation. The study is based on UN data, as well as studies with a pronounced statistical component. According to the results of the study, it was concluded that the neo-Marxist concept of the global semi-periphery had not been verified by actual empirical material (on the example of the role of the migration factor). The available statistical and analytical data do not allow to totally confirm the neo-Marxist position that the global order under the influence of migration has been transformed and that it works in the conceptual model of a dual society. Globally, migration is not a determining factor in the widespread formation and unification of the dual method of labour exploitation within states. The quantitative data on the flow of migrants, comparative data on salaries in the countries of the core and the degree of concentration of income among certain groups of the population in the countries of the capitalist system state that the world is still largely reproduced in the horizontal core-peripheral model. Thus, there are no empirical grounds for stating the presence of a global dual society under the influence of the migration factor and consequently the presence of a global semi-periphery within the neo-Marxist approach of E. Balibar, I. Wallerstein, M. Hardt and A. Negri.

Platelet Serotonin Concentration Is Associated with Illness Duration in Schizophrenia and Chronological Age in Depression

Objective Impaired serotonergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression and schizophrenia. Blood platelets have been used for years as a peripheral model of neuronal serotonin dynamics. The objective was to investigate platelet count and serotonin concentration in patients with depression and schizophrenia, in an attempt to ascertain their clinical usefulness.Methods 953 participants were included in the study, 329 patients with depression, 339 patients with schizophrenia and 285 healthy controls. ELISA was used to assess platelet serotonin concentrations.Results There were no statistically significant differences among groups regarding age, total platelet count and serotonin concentration. Linear regression analyses revealed inverse correlations between platelet serotonin concentration and age of patients with depression and healthy individuals, as well as between platelet serotonin concentration and illness duration in patients with schizophrenia. In other words, longer illness duration in patients with schizophrenia, and higher age in patients with depression and healthy individuals was associated with lower platelet serotonin concentrations.Conclusion Platelet count and serotonin concentration did not prove to be of diagnostic value in differentiating patients and healthy individuals. However, illness duration in patients with schizophrenia may be associated with reduced concentrations of platelet serotonin.

ОЦІНКА РЕСУРСНО-РЕКРЕАЦІЙНОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ І ІНФРАСТРУКТУРИ СТАЛОГО ТУРИЗМУ В БРЕСТСЬКА ОБЛАСТЬ

Problem statement. One of the important tasks of sustainable development of tourism activities at the regional and local levels, as well as for more detailed development of the state's tourism policy, requires a comprehensive assessment of the tourist and recreational potential at the local level. The purpose of article is to assess the tourism and recreation potential of the administrative districts of the Brest region in the context of sustainable tourism development. The subject of the research is the tourist and recreational infrastructure of the Brest region. The hypothesis of the research is to find ways of economic and geographical assessment of the tourist and recreational potential of the Brest region in the context of the center -peripheral model. Presentation of the main material. A theoretical analysis of the methodology for assessing the tourist and recreational potential of the region in the context of sustainable tourism development is carried out. It is proved that not only indicators and indicators, but also tourist and recreational potential are important for determining the strategic foundations of sustainable development of the region. The analysis and score assessment of historical, cultural, recreational potential and the level of development of tourist infrastructure is carried out. A typology of districts based on the center -peripheral model and the level of development of tourist infrastructure has been developed. The conclusions of the study are to highlight the economic and geographical features of the development of the administrative districts of the Brest region.

FORMATION OF LABOR POTENTIAL OF THE KYIV REGION

The essence of labor potential of Kyiv region and its taxonomic levels is revealed. There are 4 thematic blocks of development of labor potential: environmental, demographic, economic and cultural blocks. 13 indicators of formation and use of labor potential in the district dimension were calculated. The integral rank of development of labor potential for each district is calculated. The ranking of the districts of the Kiev region by the values ​​of block indexes. The spatiotemporal framework of the development of labor potential is substantiated. Cluster analysis was performed using the Vard and K-means methods. The existence of hierarchical clustering of districts in the selected three clusters by the level of development of labor potential is established. Clusters are identified: outsider areas and buffer areas. The existence of the core of the development of labor potential of Kyiv region is substantiated. The presence of a fixed space-time frame of labor potential is established. Three types (groups) of districts were identified according to the studied indicator. The field of differentiation of districts of Kyiv region by the magnitude of the basic increase of the integral rank of development of labor potential is revealed. The level of polarization of labor potential development or the gap between the maximum and minimum value of the integral rank of labor potential development is established. A centre-peripheral model of labor potential development has been constructed. The dynamics of the integral rank of development of labor potential in the section of districts is analyzed. Four are identified:1) central or core / central areas; 2) districts of semi-peripheral type or semi-peripheral areas; 3) peripheral or peripheral areas; 4) lacunar type areas or lacunar areas (areas that are exceptions to the rules of center-peripheral spatial distribution). The specifics of formation, functioning of districts are revealed and the main problems and perspective directions of their development are highlighted.