Introduction. The international economic community is promoting the principles of free trade theory, the principles of liberalization and the “invisible hand effect”, as well as the countries specialization and the erasure of national economic borders in the context of modern globalization processes. However, such recommendations are not always appropriate for countries with underdeveloped national economies and for countries that have not undergone a long period of development under conditions of national protectionism. Therefore, the article is devoted to the search of strategic directions for the national economy development under the conditions of modern globalization changes and economic and political instability. Purpose. Although Ukraine has adhered to the requirements and recommendations of international economic organizations over the past years, there has been no economic breakthrough in the country. Public life standards are not rising; according to various economic estimates and international rankings, Ukraine continues to hold weak positions. This situation requires special research and search for ways of entering the national economy of Ukraine to new positions. Methods. In the article methods of analysis and comparison of international experience and practice, methods of collection and systematization of statistical data’s are used. Results. The problems of low Ukrainian competitiveness among other countries have been revealed by taking into account the scientific literature analysis, international experience of national economies development in different countries and statistical data on the Ukrainian national economy. The priorities and principles of national production and industrial development, which ensure the competitive country’s position in the current globalization conditions, have been determined. The article shows Erik S. Reinert’s point of views, highlighted in the book “How Rich Countries Got Rich And Why Poor Countries Stay Poor” which relate to the critique of the recommendations regarding adherence to the free trade theory and specialization, as well as the liberalization principles and the “invisible hand effect”. The problems of the Ukrainian national economy development with postcolonial syndromes that are manifested in socio-psychological, managerial, cultural, as well as in economic behavior and peculiarities of national economy have been disclosed. Discussion. The necessity of structural changes in national production, as well as changes in scientific-educational, taxation and pension system, investment policy, overcoming oligarchy, and corruption, and excessive government intervention in a business have been substantiated. Three main components of the strategic national economy development have been proposed, concerning effective science education reform in order to strengthen the innovational capabilities and technological capacities of national production; reducing external debt and dependence on external creditors, orienting the financial sector towards serving and investing the in real economy; creating strong social, political and national, ethical and spiritual values in the society.