The Paradigm of the Byzantine Economic Order-Taxis: Historical and Philosophical Dimension

Abstract

Introduction. The article deals with one of the key issues of the Eurasian economic order related to the Byzantine Empire, which lasted for more than a thousand years (395–1453) and experienced periods of growth and decline, in which military expansion was replaced by crises and internal upheavals. The Byzantine state has always been under pressure from outside, but it has learned to survive among rivals and enemies. The Power of Byzantium in many respects ahead of its era, was not only the largest feudal entity of the Middle Ages, but also along with this centralized state, which had a powerful system of administrative management, which played an important role in regulating of the economic order. Materials and Methods. Current methodological approaches based on the principle of spiritual understanding of the modern world picture, as well as the degree of theoretical elaboration at the present stage of development of society the problem of forming the mentality of a particular nation, studying cultural phenomena in a historical context contribute, we believe, the disclosure of the “conceptual entity” the Byzantine heritage. Results. The analysis of sources and materials that consider various aspects of scientific works of Byzantine taxonomists on the economic structure. The characteristic features of the economic policy of the Byzantine Empire are revealed and the conclusion about the significance of the Byzantine experience for regulating the economic order in modern States is substantiated. Discussion and Conclusion. The Byzantine state, which actively intervened in the regulation of the economy, received a relatively stable economic order, which allowed it not only to maintain its well-being throughout the centuries of the Empire’s history, but also to cope with crisis situations. The variety of forms of farming in early Byzantium was reflected in the effective interaction of commodity production developed in cities and the economic system of rural settlements. The flourishing of trade and industry were mainly characteristic of coastal cities, whose economic expansion only slightly affected the agricultural sector of the Empire, while there was a partial taxonometrization of the economy. Despite short periods of weakening trade priorities of Byzantium, we can not talk about the economic disaster of the Empire, because it had at its disposal the economic reserves of the provinces. The state has repeatedly experienced shocks accompanied by crises, but has maintained sufficient viability, subsequently reviving and returning to its previous positions.