Designing of a Modern Scientific Paradigm as the Basis of Russia's Economic Policy

Abstract

The current stage of development of the Russian economy and society is characterized by the need to bring a coherent scientific paradigm (theory) under the economic state policy. The need to choose and substantiate such a paradigm is a complex and, at the same time, an urgent task over the past 20–30 years. For these purposes, the concept of «paradigm» is analyzed. The significance of the choice of the economic paradigm is substantiated as the basis of the economic and social system of the Russian society, influencing the economic policy of the state and the choice of its instruments. The significance of economic theory (paradigm) in the interpretation of empirical data and their relationship is substantiated. One and the same phenomenon can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the theory in which the empirical data and the results of their analysis are interpreted. On the example of the role of the state in the economy, its various interpretations are given, depending on the chosen economic theory. The existence of a crisis in the current scientific paradigm is argued and the need to form a new one is substantiated. The paper analyzes two approaches to changing the scientific paradigm: revolutionary (T. Kuhn) and evolutionary (J. M. Keynes). A review of scientific paradigms (economic theories) proposed as a civilizational paradigm by Russian researchers-economists over the past 15 years is carried out. Evidence is provided that the current economic paradigm substantively and methodologically incorporates aspects of three concepts: the concept of a service state, the concept of an effective state (good governance) and the concept of sustainable development. At a higher level, the new concept should be based on a systems paradigm. The shortcomings of the existing concept are analyzed. The feasibility is substantiated and the need to include the moral aspect (ethics, trust) in the construction of the Russia’s economic paradigm is argued.