Экономика региона (Dec 2016)
Regional Potential and Regional Capital: «Possibility» — «Reality» — «Necessity»
Abstract
The article describes the main provisions of the categories «potential» and «capital», their dialectic interconnection and interdependence in the field of regional socio-economic studies. The analysis of the concept of «potential» used in the different branches of knowledge, beginning with its essence as a general philosophical category and ending with the use in private, industrial sciences (economics, ecology, environmental management, resources, etc.) is conducted. The results of the analysis show that all the definitions are overly specific, represent the various modifications of the traditional «resource» concept and need in theoretical generalization. The authors have highlighted the most important essential features of the «potential» that characterize it as an attribute, an inherent quality of any object or phenomenon. On this theoretical basis, the definition of «regional capacity» is given and its structure, characterized by functionality, multi aspects and multiplicity is revealed. The potential of a territory is manifested in the following forms: the availability (concentration), gravity (gravitation), capacity (accommodation), stability (security) and positioning (position). Each of these aspects brings together the private (partial) potentials. Special attention is paid to the processes of the transformation of regional capacities, to the identification of the directions and stages of its transformation. Based on the philosophical principles of Aristotle and Immanuel Kant, it is proposed to allocate five strategic ways to actualize the potential of a territory — sustainability, quantity, quality, position, and capitalization. Capitalization of potential involves increasing its stability, size, quality, and availability that turns it from «possible» (prerequisites, conditions, factors) to the «necessity» (necessity, obligation). Work converts potential into a real social value — capital. The regional capital is an universal use-value, forming a successful and competitive regional socio-economics necessary to the society. Main provisions and conclusions of the article can serve as a theoretical basis for regional socio-economic research, be used as a methodological base for the development of strategic planning documents (strategy, concepts, schemes, forecasts, programs etc.) of the development of the regions of the different taxonomical level
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