Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025)

This issue of the International Journal of Economics and Society brings together diverse research that explores pressing themes in socio-economic development, cultural policy, and global integration. The articles included in this volume present both empirical and theoretical perspectives across a wide range of regions and disciplines.

The issue opens with a comprehensive study of sustainability indicators in Azerbaijan, applying multi-dimensional statistical methods to evaluate economic growth and socio-economic dynamics. Regional development and convergence processes are further examined through an analysis of interregional disparities in South Korea’s innovation-driven economy. Questions of social transformation are also reflected in research on socio-economic exclusion in contemporary societies, offering a conceptual and methodological framework for measuring exclusion and its consequences.

Historical perspectives are provided through a study of the interaction between socio-political organizations and authorities in the Ukrainian provinces of the Russian Empire (1905–1917), highlighting the role of various types of sources in reconstructing social and political dynamics. Cultural policy is addressed in an article on multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, with an emphasis on education, law, and legislation.

In addition, the volume features research on the socio-economic determinants of academic performance in Nigeria, identifying the key household and infrastructural factors that shape educational outcomes. Finally, the issue explores the intersections of orientalism, islamophobia, and integration processes, focusing on the challenges faced by Muslim communities in Western societies.

Together, these contributions provide valuable insights into the complexity of economic, social, and cultural transformations across different contexts, underscoring the interconnectedness of development processes in a globalized world.