The article focuses on different approaches to study of stateness in political science and the meaning of the concept. Different dimensions of stateness are highlighted. Possibilities of comparative study of individual countries stateness are discussed. The relations between stateness and other properties of states are demonstrated.

The article is devoted to the formation of a framework for comparative empirical analysis of state effectiveness. The current research problems and contemporary scientific approaches to the issue are analyzed. The set of variables for comparative analysis of state effectiveness is suggested. Some problems of interrelations between state effectiveness and the other parameters are formulated to future study.

The article analyses main aspects of individual countries stateness that are determined by by its internal and external contexts. There are considered sources of stateness as well as contribution to its formation by state institutions, respective polities, countries (territorial development complexes)) and historical traditions. An issue of possible operationalization of stateness is discussed in the context of comparative political studies.

The article explores the emergence of new unrecognized / partially recognized states in the context of the ongoing transformation of the world system of sovereignty. In the author's view the main problem is manageability of «problematic» political space arising as a result of secessions and subsequently gaining stateness by de facto states. The political development of such states is being considered with specific reference to Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Article examines the problems of stateness and state failure of modern states. The author analyses various types of non-recognized states, where features of state failure can be observed. Particular attention is given to projects of transformation of regional identity in the South Caucasus.

Present challenges pose specific requirements to the state, as an institution capable to guide society in the context of globalization. Political attributes of the state have great significance, as they reflect its stateness and capacity, its actual abilities to regulate existing conflicts. These political parameters have universal yet specific characteristics, which demonstrate its dependency upon social and political relations, political system of the state, regime, system of public management and decision making. Assessment of these parameters allows to better understand opportunities and prospects for the Russian state in both mid and long term.

The article is focused on the problems of nation building in Afghanistan. Its history helps to understand that today's problems (nationhood, socioeconomic modernization etc.) are associated not only with decades of war. Attention is drawn to the historic role of the clergy as an opponent of reform, lack of human capital needed for the modern state, conservatism and militancy that reject the foreign presence so vital to country's development.

The article focus on the problems of state-building in small polities of Oceania. The role of geographical and geopolitical factors in this process is demonstrated. From the meager arsenal of available features and attributes of stateness Oceania states were forced to choose those on which it was possible to rapidly form a legitimate government.

The article devoted to research approaches to the transformation of the Georgian stteness from the USSR collapse until 2010. Particular attention is given to the influence of the «Rose Revolution», unfinished democratization and the Russian-Georgian conflict in August 2008.

The condition of post-socialism for most former Warsaw pact's countries is characterized by similar tendency of socio-political development and ethnonationalism increase in particular. At the first ethnonationalism was a remedy for decolonization in Asiatic countries. Then in the nineties it was used for desovietization. And only beginning with 21st century the trend started to lose its actuality. By the time nationalization countries of post-soviet area completely had turned into national states. New identity, loyalty and system of political myth were formed. The article is dedicated to studying these phenomena.