The variability and dynamic nature of the development of populism in the last decade makes this socio-political phenomenon one of the most relevant and significant topics for analysis and discussion in the scientific community. On March 15, 2022, MGIMO University hosted a scientific round table with the topic "Left- and right-wing populism in Ibero-America: history and modernity". The discussion touched upon a variety of domestic and foreign policy aspects of the left- and right-wing populist regimes in the two regions. This review brings to the attention of the readers an overview of the theses expressed during the discussion.

The article presents a study of the populism of the right-wing Spanish political party Vox. The scientific definitions of populism and the politics of fear as its
manifestations are given. Populism is a phenomenon peculiar to anti–system parties, which is designed for uncritical perception by the audience. Vox populism, accompanied by the politics of fear, is necessary to arouse people’s anxiety and urge them to rally under the party banner. The question of the place of populism and the politics of fear in the discourse of the Vox party is investigated. The specific fields that are used in the populist discourse of the party are also identified: condemnation of separatism and a call to build a Great Spain; criticism of feminism; criticism of the widespread influx of migrants, which is associated with an increase in crime. A detailed description
and analysis of the use of memory policy in the Vox party discourse are provided. A detailed description of the methods of discrediting political opponents used by the party is given. Attention is drawn to the party’s foreign policy activities and to which vector in international relations it considers the most appropriate. The question of the characteristics of the average Vox voter is investigated.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the case of Nicolás Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Despite the serious crisis of the state (political, social, economic), which consists in a multiple drop in the level of GDP, the destruction of the oil industry, hyperinflation, a decrease in incomes of the population, mass emigration, foreign policy pressure, the politician enjoys the support of the population and retains his post. The decisive elements of Venezuela’s plight lie in the resource curse and the country’s socialist orientation, the first point being dictated by prior development (the rut effect). The creation of an unbalanced economic system in the 20th century turned into a long crisis in the same century, which continues to this
day. This process was strengthened by the coming to power of left-wing populists — Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. Using the mobilization of socially unprotected sections of the population and oil revenues, the two leaders managed to create a socio-political system that confirms its viability to this day. However, there is a contradiction between the resource economy, aimed at the export of energy resources and the increase in government spending, associated with jumps in world oil prices. The instruments of
influence with the electorate of N. Maduro, which ensure his political success, are described, in particular, the appeal to the masses, the active use of social networks. The Venezuelan situation has common features with the Belarusian crisis of 2020-2021. Despite their similarity, the differences between these two cases are identified. The role of the foreign policy factor in the stabilization of such regimes is shown. The decisive factor in maintaining the status quo of the Vene  zuelan regime is the solidity of the power elites who have expressed loyalty to Nicolas Maduro. In the Belarusian case, the foreign policy factor (the influence of the Russian Federation) joins the elite factor. Given the current state of international relations, there are two possible scenarios for the development of events regarding the position of the Venezuelan president.
The first is to maintain the status quo, the second is to reorient Venezuela towards the Western community. Regarding the Republic of Belarus, the first option will be relevant. However, different outcomes are possible in the near future, given the extremely unstable situation in the system of international relations. 

The article examines the impact of the development of digital technologies on the economic growth of the leading countries of Latin America. The author assesses the contribution of digital transformation to GDP, characterizes the negative and positive scenarios of the development of the economy of Latin American countries in 2020- 2025 under the influence of the digital aspect, considers the factors that may change the speed of the implementation of digital technologies in the region. Basing on the information received, the author makes a forecast of the GDP dynamics in selected Latin American countries, depending on the estimated level of digital technology development.

The purpose of this article is to form a holistic picture of the European private equity market through an analysis of the dynamics and trends, structural features, as well as its position in the global market. The study is based on data from 2021 on the investment activity of EU member states, as well as Switzerland, UK and Norway. The author presents a theoretical basis through characterizing the features of this asset class, the main types of investment and their properties. The volume, structure and dynamics of the European private equity market are analyzed. The study considers data depending on investment categories, areas of activity of portfolio companies, types of investment funds in countries and regions where investors and portfolio companies are located. An analysis is also made of the position of private equity in European countries depending on the indicators of innovative efficiency, state support for R&D, country risks and the business climate. As a result, a grouping of countries with similar indicators in terms of these factors and the share of Private equity in GDP was proposed.