Dolmatov I. Spatial existence of a contemporary state

The thesis deals with the complex research of spatial existence of a contemporary state by combining the concepts of state theory and its legal characteristics. The research shows geopolitical treatment of a territory as strategic potential of a state. Spatial organization of a contemporary state form of government is analyzed. Tendencies towards regionalization and centralization for improvement of the Ukrainian state system are presented. The novelty of the research includes interpretation of state territory role for a contemporary state and introduction of the “state space” concept. A state space is stipulated by a state territory as well as a whole complex of state events relating to the border (contiguous) states; states with economic, political and cultural interests, transnational corporations, international and regionalistic organizations and other entities of state relationship. The author investigates theoretical and legal grounds of “virtual states’’ derivation and shows that the absence ofa territory as an element of organization is the main obstacle to their recognition as states and international law entities. While investigating the role of a territory for a state the classification of state territories was improved by defining the virtual and quasi-territory. The research shows that territory is a spatial limit of state power. The existence of state territory is connected to the establishment of state borders: they are state power limits and territory borders. Thereby a border is closely connected to the three main state elements – territory, nation and power. Among the principles of the new approach to borders study are: 1) the idea of impossibility to study borders within one state; 2) the idea of impossibility to study borders disregarding the person’s identity - self identification to the certain social or territorial group, mainly ethnical.