Території як суб’єкт глобальної конкуренції

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the nature of territories as a subject of global competition. It was determined that solving the problems of territorial competitiveness research involves the need to avoid excessive emphasis on direct competition between territories in order to maintain a balance between competition and cooperation; recognition that productivity growth and, as a result, income growth is an important component of the likely development goals of the territory; determination that the achievement of socio-economic goals of the territory requires the development of internal democratic mechanisms necessary for the political process. The article proves that gradually in the genesis of the theory of territorial competitiveness, the issues of competition and competitiveness pass to the concept of attractiveness, especially at the level of subnational territories. It is determined that the attractiveness of the territories refers to the dual ability, firstly, to attract and maintain the population of the territory by offering it an appropriate standard of living and, secondly, to attract or create competitive activities. This is the result of an effective combination between the strategies and trajectories of local actors and the ability of the territory to define its specific offer that will distinguish it from others. Compared to territorial competitiveness, attractiveness refers to a more global strategy that aims not only at economic sustainability, but also at environmental and socio-cultural sustainability, based on the principle of "territorial capital". It is concluded that the components of the competitiveness of territories, as subjects of global competition, should include the ability of cities/regions/states: to attract and continue economic activity, to produce goods and services that meet the requirements of wider regional, national and international markets, to ensure a high level life for its citizens, compared to citizens of other countries, to produce and absorb innovations, to form competitive clusters, to ensure high labor productivity, and to provide institutional conditions for direct democracy and local decision-making autonomy.