RUSSIAN EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC THEORY: AN UPDATE IS NEEDED

Abstract

The article argues the conclusion about the need to reform the education system in the field of economic theory. The reason for this is both the general problems known for many decades of reducing this field of teaching to courses in micro- and macroeconomics with some additions, and new circumstances — profound changes in economic life in the world in general and in Russia in particular. The authors show that the beginning of qualitative changes in technology, the aggravation of global problems and geopolitical confrontations necessitated transformations in the space of economic relations and institutions. The still dominant model of late capitalism is in crisis, which is recognized not only by critics, but also by adherents of this system (in particular, the leaders of the Davos Forum). In the Russian Federation, the changes in economic life are even more profound. In these conditions, fundamental economic education is necessary, which adequately reflects the changes taking place, preparing entrepreneurs, civil servants, households to make decisions in new conditions. Based on neoclassical postulates, micro- and macroeconomic theory, even if supplemented by developments in behavioral economics and new institutionalism, cannot fully reflect new phenomena. Meanwhile, at present, the teaching of economic theory is reduced to these courses, although there are important exceptions (courses, textbooks in China, Russia, the USA, Europe) that show the fruitfulness of a different model of teaching economic theory, which includes not only neoclassics. The article concludes with a system of concrete proposals for the restructuring of the education system in the field of economic theory in Russia.