LEGAL EPISTEMOLOGY AND A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENERGY COOPERATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND OTHER BRICS STATES

Abstract

The article examines legal epistemology and a systematic approach to the study of internation-al legal regulation of energy cooperation between Russia and other BRICS states. The legal epistemology of energy cooperation allows a comprehensive analysis of the knowledge of phenomena and processes of international legal regulation of energy cooperation. The meth-odological approaches that make up epistemology are studied. The complementarity of the synchronic and diachronic approaches of epistemology is traced. The contradictions that form the basis of legal epistemology are investigated. It is established that these contradictions con-sist in the opposition of synchronic and diachronic approaches, formalism and realism, spe-cial legal and general scientific methods. A systematic approach is particularly important for the methodology of the study of international legal regulation of energy cooperation. Systemic laws have been applied to the analysis of Russia's energy cooperation with Brazil, China, India and South Africa. The current system of energy cooperation between Russia and other BRICS states at the international legal level is characterized by simplicity, integrity, emergence and underdevelopment.