The book examines the international political and economic aspects of the evolution and prospects of a polycentric world, whose formation started at the turn of the XX - XXI centuries. The book provides the analysis of the fundamental changes in the global economy, security, global governance. The current trends in development of countries - global and key regional leaders – are being examined here; as well as the cooperation of these countries with Russia. The book also covers the international political implications of the formation of new regional groupings around the perimeter of Russian borders. The focus is on identifying opportunities, challenges and risks that arise in Russia as part of a polycentric world. The study was funded by Russian Humanitarian Science Foundation as part of the research project  «Russia in a polycentric world», project № 11-32-02001a.