Development of paradigmatic ideas in the domestic regional economics by Evgeny Animitsa et al.

Abstract

The paper presents an overview of a monograph prepared by a team of scholars representing the Ural school of regional economics, which was created under the leadership of Evgeny Animitsa and is based in the Ural State University of Economics. Methodologically, the monograph relies on a wide range of approaches in the fields of philosophy of science, regional economics, economic geography, urban studies, finance. The main research method is content analysis of achievements in regional economics and related branches of science. The review examines interrelations between the development directions of the Ural school of thought and general global trends in regional economics and reveals the specificities of the Ural science. The synopsis of the monograph’s key chapters allows evaluating the contribution of the authors into the new ideas linked both with the theoretical consideration of the current economic situation and the state-of-the-art applied research into the economy of regions, agglomerations, cities. The paper outlines a number of controversial issues concerning the fallouts of ongoing economic reforms: the possibility of emergence and the focus of synergistic effects; problems of training research personnel and reforming the system of vocational education at regional level; development of impact investment system; formation of urban agglomerations and location of productive forces in regions. Particular emphasis is put on the social orientation and comprehensive development of regional economy by supporting the well-being economy. The review demonstrates that the research of the Ural school of regional economics clusters around the major problems of science, and in some cases is ahead of world academic achievements.