Proposals for projects, term papers and theses

Projects 2024-2025

1. An analysis of the power distribution in the National Development Bank of the BRICS countries (WE, E)

The work consists of the following stages

• Find an information on the distribution of the shareholder capital of the National Development Bank among the BRICS countries.

• Find out the relationship between the shareholder capital of the BRICS member countries in this bank and the GDP (and GNP) of these countries.

• Assess the volume of mutual economic cooperation between the BRICS countries:

• Find out how much each BRICS country finances infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the BRICS countries, as well as in developing countries.

• Assess the level of cooperation of each BRICS country with financial institutions and national development banks.

• Based on the information received and analyzed, calculate the power indices of the BRICS countries in this bank.

• Assess how the power indices of the BRICS countries will change after the entry of new countries into the interstate association.

2. An analysis of the power distribution in the parliaments of the world (3 works) (P, BI)

The work consists of the following stages

• Find an information on the results of parliamentary elections in chosen countries.

• Calculate the parties’ classical power indices in the parliaments of these countries (the Banzaf, Shapley –Shubik, Johnston, Digen– Pakel indices).

• Analyze the changes in the power indices values in the parliaments in different convocations (for example, over the past few decades).

• Based on available sources of information, assess the degree of proximity of the political positions of the parties represented in the parliament.

• Using this information, calculate the parties’ power indices, taking into account the preferences of parties to enter into coalitions with other parties.

3. An assessment of the polarization of parliaments (3 works) (P, BI)

The work consists of the following stages

• Obtain information about the structure of the parliament of chosen countries.

• Based on available sources of information, assess the proximity of the parties’ positions in the parliament according to important domestic and international issues. For example:

- Attitude towards joining the European Union (for Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein).

- Attitude to separatism (for Belgium – Flemings and Walloons; for Spain – Catalonia and the Basque Country; for Canada – Quebec; for Great Britain – Scotland; ...)

- Attitude towards refugees and migrants.

- Climate change (global warming).

- Attitude to the nationalization of large industrial enterprises.

- …

• Calculate the index of the polarization of the parliament of a particular country:

- One-dimensional polarization index (when using a scale for a single problem);

- Multidimensional polarization index (when 2 or more scales are used).

4. Intersectoral interaction of the economies of the world (E.Sergeeva) (E)

Abstract: The work deals with to the study of intersectoral interaction of the economies of the world using network analysis methods. We will construct supply chains of goods within and between countries, calculate new indices of group interaction and identify the most vulnerable sectors to sudden events in the economy. The study will allow for a better understanding of global economic processes, as well as provide an opportunity to conduct a scenario analysis to model various options for economic development. The work may be of interest to students who want to delve deeper into the analysis of the global economy, working with data and network analysis.

5. Assessment of intersectoral interactions between the economies of the BRICS countries (E.Sergeeva) 

Abstract: The work deals with to the study of intersectoral interaction between the economies of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia) and its comparison with the intersectoral interaction of the economies of other countries. The work includes construction of supply chains, using network analysis methods and new group influence indices, and a study the most vulnerable sectors of the economy. The results of the study can be used to form a strategy for the economic development of the BRICS countries.

6. Export/import/production of electricity (M.Blagoveshchenskiy, A.Mikaelyan) (E)

7. Oil export/import (M.Seregin) (E)

8. Network analysis of international migration (WE, P, GMU)

9. Migration from the Middle East (Hassan, Darin)

10. Network Analysis of International Trade (WE)

11. Assessment of the representativeness of parliaments (3 works) (P, BI)

The work consists of the following stages

• Obtain information about the composition of parliaments in a number of countries.

• Calculate the classical indices of parliamentary representation of these countries (maximum deviation, Rae, Grofman, Gallagher, Lusmore – Hanby indices.)

• Calculate the value of the index of parliamentary representativeness, taking into account the turnout and the number of voters who voted against all (for those countries in which there is a corresponding column in the ballots).

• To analyze the changes in the values of these indices of representation of the parliament of a particular country for different convocations (for example, over the past few decades).

12. An analysis of new voting procedures (paradoxes) (3 works) (E, PMI, BI)

The work consists of the following stages

• Explore the literature on voting paradoxes.

• Compile a list of all known voting procedures that aggregate individual voter preferences expressed in linear orders of candidates into a collective decision.

• Identify those procedures (known from the literature) subject to certain paradoxes (for example, the Condorcet paradox, the monotonicity paradox, the consistency paradox, the agenda paradox, the no-show paradox, the dominated-bill-wins paradox, the inverted-order paradox, etc.).

• Investigate voting procedures for which paradoxes have not been found, for susceptibility to certain paradoxes.

13. Analysis of the dynamics and patterns of the business uncertainty index and their impact on the industrial sector in the Russian Federation (D.Zabelina, R.Nazarova) (E)

Abstract: The dynamics of business uncertainty and its impact on the industrial sector will be investigated through the analysis of the Business Uncertainty Index (IDN) and pattern analysis. A detailed analysis of the gross value added (GVA) of industry in various sectors, as well as the construction of Life-Cycle curves, give an idea of the dynamics of economic development in the context of business uncertainty. In addition, the relationship of the GVA with the dollar exchange rate, the CPI and the quarterly inflation rate will be studied. Through the analysis of patterns, the relations between the level of business uncertainty and economic indicators will be revealed. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the impact of uncertainty factors on the industrial sector and develop risk management strategies to ensure sustainable economic development.

14. “Network analysis of student migration from 2013 to 2021” (Gubich A.S.) (BI)

Abstract: The student migration network at the country level will be analyzed. After conducting a network analysis, the most influential member countries of the international higher education system will be identified, and trends in changes in network elements will be revealed. Understanding the structure of such a network and the factors influencing it can potentially allow individual countries to increase their influence within it and influence the development of the international higher education system.

15. Network Analysis of International Oil Trade (M. Seregin)

Global oil consumption underscores its paramount importance in the world economy and energy sector, necessitating the study of economic consequences associated with oil supply disruptions. Existing approaches to assessing the stability of the international oil trade network do not account for potential collective impacts exerted by groups of countries acting jointly, for example, through the imposition of economic sanctions. The aim of this study is to analyze the stability of international oil trade in the event of supply disruptions based on data on bilateral oil trade from 2000 to 2021. Network analysis is used as the primary research method. The study identifies the most significant countries using classical and new centrality indices, analyzes the consequences of scenarios involving oil supply reductions, and identifies the most vulnerable countries. Additionally, the current Russian policy in the oil trade sector is examined, and measures taken by the government of the Russian Federation to mitigate the consequences of crisis phenomena in international oil trade are discussed.

E – Economics

WE – World Economy

PMI – Applied Mathematics and Computer Science

BI – Business Informatics

P - Political Science