5. Given the existing situation, we can consider at least three possible scenarios for
resolving the social problems that are most critical for Russia:
- Preserving in unchanged form the present instruments for implementation; this
threatens a deepening of the existing negative trends and, ultimately, social collapse.
- A return to the past pre-perestroyka methods of managing social policy, with the use
of centralized planning and financing, a strengthening of the administrative and control
functions of the state, and non-economic regulation of existing problems; this contradicts the
reform vector begun in the new Russia;
- Working out and implementing a fundamentally new social policy strategy; this
requires the development of new conceptual positions and programming for its
implementation.