PARADOXES OF MODERN INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PEASANT (FARMER) FARMS

Abstract

The work is devoted to the study of the constructive nature of institutions in the space of rural territories in the context of social contradictions, often taking paradoxical formats. Methodologically, the article is written in the traditions of modern critical institutional economics and institutional sociology. The authors’ results of the analysis of statistical data from open sources within the framework of the proposed issues over the past 20 years are presented. Three main historical stages of institutional dynamics in agriculture are characterized, the main of which included the introduction and institutionalization of private ownership of land, effectively returning Russia to the number of global players in the agricultural market. The article presents data on the modernization of agriculture resulting from institutional changes “from above” and institutional mutual obligations in rural areas “from below”. The conclusion is made about the increase in land assets and the growth of the total income of landowners. Quantitative indicators of the development of small- and medium-sized peasant (farmer) farms and large landholdings in Russia (agricultural holdings) according to various reporting data are presented. The socio-economic contradictions are revealed that point to the paradoxical development of rural areas of Russia. The foreign experience of managing modern rural business is presented, which can be considered as options for a possible future of Russia. The authors come to the conclusions that the Russian institutional dynamics in rural areas demonstrates several positive changes that have created the basis for the existence and further development of the country in a short period by historical standards. The article puts forward five hypotheses regarding the institutional development of rural areas, some of which are practically verified. It is proved that at present in Russia the risks and dangers of quantitative and qualitative food shortages have really been overcome, and that sufficiently powerful socio-class groups of landowners have been formed who are fundamentally interested in the qualitative reproduction of rural areas, despite the deepening processes of poverty, which marks the paradoxical institutional dynamics. However, there are indications that application of the concept of global instability (including determinants of СOVID-19 pandemic and “special military operation in Ukraine” after 24 February 2022) marks the existence of a new paradox related to the tragedy of agriculture’s future in Russia. It may realistically result in evolutionary crisis of the civilization if we take into account the paradigm of a “folding civilization” introduced by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, which means that the civilization under study is left defenseless against “Masters of Fools”.