MODERN TRENDS IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND SPATIAL FORMATION OF STATES OF THE WORLD IN THE CONDITIONS OF GLOBALIZATION

Abstract

The article examines modern trends in the geographical and spatial formation of states of the world in the context of globalization as a process that is becoming increasingly selective, network-based, and functionally differentiated. The emphasis is placed on rethinking state space as a multi-level system in which key roles are played by nodes of concentration of economic activity, logistics corridors, digital platforms, and interface territories. The methodological basis of the study consists of systemic and spatial-economic approaches, as well as elements of comparative analysis, which made it possible to combine statistical indicators of global development with empirical cases of individual countries. Methods of structural and functional analysis were used to identify key trends in spatial transformation and to generalize practical models of its organization. As a result of the study, it was established that the modern spatial formation of states occurs under the influence of the interaction of several systemic factors, among which the determining ones are urban concentration, logistics corridorization, digital transformation of the economy, and geoeconomic selection of external relations. It is proved that globalization does not eliminate territorial differentiation, but, on the contrary, intensifies it, forming the spatial structure of states around a limited number of highly functional nodes. For the first time, three basic formats of spatial development of states have been systematized and generalized — integrated urban-regional, corridor, and interface — from the standpoint of their functional role in the global economy. It is proved that the determining factor of the effectiveness of these models is not the level of integration into international flows, but the ability of states to ensure the internal completion of value added, which expands theoretical understanding of modern transformations of the spatial economy. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of their use in the formation of state spatial policy aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the national economy. The proposed approaches can be applied in the development of territorial development strategies, optimization of infrastructure placement, and the formation of industrial and logistics corridors.