Dokholyan S.V. Economic sovereignty and quality of life in modern Russia (2014–2024): the dialectic of the relationship and social effects. Economy and Management. 2025. Vol. 31. No. 8. Pp. 1040-1054.

Abstract

This study is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the complex, dialectical and nonlinear relationship between government policy to ensure economic sovereignty and the dynamics of the quality of life of the population of the Russian Federation in the period from 2014 to 2024. Goal. The aim of the work is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the sovereignization policy on the socio-economic well-being of citizens in the period from 2014 to 2024. Tasks. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: to analyze the evolution of theoretical concepts; to provide a statistical assessment of the dynamics of the quality of life in Russia; to assess the level of achievement of Russia's economic sovereignty; to identify and describe the mechanisms of mutual influence; to determine how specific areas of sovereignty policy (import substitution, fiscal stimulus, monetary policy) affect social outcomes, such as such as employment, income, prices, and credit availability. Methodology. The methodological basis of the research is interdisciplinary and includes a synthesis of theoretical analysis of scientific literature and empirical analysis of quantitative data. A systematic approach was used to identify cause-and-effect relationships between macroeconomic policy and its social consequences, as well as comparative analysis to contextualize Russian indicators. Results. The study revealed a deeply contradictory picture. On the one hand, the policy of sovereignization contributed to strengthening macroeconomic stability (a significant reduction in external debt, accumulation of reserves) and achieving record low unemployment, which prevented a sharp drop in living standards. On the other hand, these achievements come with significant costs. The key negative consequences were chronically high inflation, which reduces real incomes of the population, and deepening social inequality, which is confirmed by the growth of the Gini coefficient. Conclusions. The hypothesis is confirmed that the relationship between economic sovereignty and the quality of life in Russia is a complex compromise. At the current stage, Russia is successfully solving the «protective» tasks of sovereignty, but the growth model based on resource mobilization is showing signs of exhaustion and leading to the conservation of structural problems. Russia successfully solves the «protective» tasks of sovereignty, but faces challenges in implementing «developmental» tasks.