MEF-2016: Conference №1, New Quality of industrial production: the social and economic problems

Published: March 23rd, 2016

On the theme:
In this theme, both in focus, converge such fundamental questions as, on the one hand, the ratio of production of goods and services, the structure of the economic system and the laws of development of its material foundations, the ratio of industrial and post-industrial trends; on the other hand, the focus is concentrated such important practical issues such as re-industrialization, import substitution, revival / integration of high-tech manufacturing, research and education, industrial policy.

Moderators:
Sergey Bodrunov, Head of St. Petersburg Branch of the MEF, Director of Institute for New Industrial Development
Alexander Buzgalin, Professor of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov

Among participants:
Sergei Bodrunov, Alexander Buzgalin, Giulietto Chiesa, David Lane, Robert Nigmatulin, Victor Ryazanov, Saxena Montu, Oleg Smolin, Alexander Sorokin, Sergei Tolkachev, Vasily Chekmarev, Vladimir Chekmarev, Peter Schulze

"New Quality of industrial production: the socio-economic problems" - a conference with the title was held at the site of the fourth Moscow Economic Forum. The moderator of the meeting was Alexander Buzgalin, PhD, Professor of Economic Faculty of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov.

During the discussion, the participants of which have become well-known domestic experts and foreign guests fundamental issues such as the ratio of production of goods and services, the structure of the economic system and the laws of development of its material foundations, the ratio of industrial and post-industrial trends had been discussed. The most important practical issues such as re-industrialization, import substitution, revival / integration of high-tech manufacturing, research and education, industrial policy, etc. did not remain without attention.

The economy needs to be restarted on the basis of industrial production paradigm. Why? Because the economic leaders of the future and the coming age - this technology leaders - with these words Sergey Bodrunov, PhD, Professor, Director of the Institute of the new industrial development named S.Y. Witte began his speech.

"Today, our country lags behind the technological frontier, that is, the level of advanced industrial technologies, in a number of areas for 15-30 years, and in some cases or more. Therefore, it is important that movement towards a new industrial society of the second generation, the second generation Russian proceeded faster than the rest of the world. If we want to gain a foothold in the world economy in the future. We need to achieve a new quality of production and technology. This technological progress in material production will open the way for the development of the real needs and growth opportunities satisfactions. Now the society is on the threshold of a new technological revolution. This change in the entire social and economic system of the society", - said Bodrunov.

According to the speaker, the human society now is on the threshold of a new technological revolution, which, like the previous one will inevitably entail profound changes, not only in the sphere of material production and in the production of new knowledge, but also in the entire socio-economic system of society.

The journalist Giulietto Chiesa thinks that Russia has a giant global role today. According to the speaker, Russia is the only country that can hold back the Western claims. Therefore, it is very important that Russia has adopted a strategically correct decision. Not just for tomorrow or the day after, and 10, 20, 30 years.

Anatoly Porokhovsky, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Department of Moscow State University, drew attention to the deterioration of production assets. Since the basic finances are the hands of the state, it must be important for the state to participate in the national production, noted the speaker. Nevertheless, in fact, private interests are heading.

"It is important to become strong in the market. We should not upgrade but have to create new technologies. We need to develop the domestic market, without it is impossible to move forward. To jump to a new way of life, we need to think about it ", - concluded Porokhovsky.

Saxena Montu the head and one of the leading scientists of the Cavendish Laboratory thinks that while Russia is still going through the process of reindustrialization she should not follow the easy path.

“It was the wrong policy. It is important to cooperate Japan, Korea, China and America. They’ve been starting their reindustrialization in other conditions. And Russia have to walk down the path of the reindustrialization process, think on those benefits that you already have. You can choose from… You cannot deal with electronics outside of the ideas developed by Silicon Valley. I have a new industrial sector of Siberia ... The potency of oil refining and gas - not just selling raw materials, but also the creation of new jobs, "said the scientist.

Bernadette Mill, deputy of the regional parliament of London in her speech drew attention on the social aspects that affect the state of the economy in the world. First, according to the speaker, is this inequality among society.

“Of course, the economic growth is very important thing. But we cannot be shallow eyed with these things. We have to look on the society as a whole and try to liquidate this inequality. In order to liquidate this inequality companies have to cooperate with the state. We must invest in education so that all people could on a global scale get a job and to have access to these technological advantages. This is a danger to society and we are trying to fight this problem right now. The most prosperous countries in the world have this problem have a social challenge. This is not just inequality as such. This is followed by the consequences. For example, poorer health, unemployment, low level of education."

Bernadette Mill is sure that in current situation we have to pay attention to social policy.

"This is development and teamwork, and the inclusion of all people in public affairs. It is important to develop these things. And most importantly, we learn from each other. We need structural changes in some areas, to build a stronger social society", - said Mill.

Head of the Department of Economic Theory Faculty of Economics of St. Petersburg State University Viktor Ryazanov shared his opinion that the country, which will first provide a very substantial reversal, back to real values, real production, and become a leader.

"In this regard, neoindustrialization program, which is also being actively discussed, and you know very well about this program - it is the way to solve problems. Because neoindustrialization - is not just a return of the old capacities, the old traditions, but it is actually the initial stage of start of the industrial revolution. And the connection of the industrial revolution, which, by the way, is blocked by the financial model, it does not start, because today the necessary technological complex changes is already gained, but it is not fully realized. Why? Because the capital has been earned elsewhere, it is thriving quite successfully. And without it turning, I want to repeat once again, it is impossible to solve these problems ", - concluded Ryazanov.

Georg Kleiner, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, deputy director of the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute, devoted his speech to the subject of import substitution. According to the speaker, it reflects an understanding of indigenous features and indigenous shortcomings of the Russian economy. Responding to a question what is the main obstacle for import substitution today, the reporter noted that it is not only economic policy, due to which the economy is no longer a unified national economic complex, but a whole range of factors.

"In my opinion, it should be considered not only a factor of economic policy, but a four-pole factor set consisting of economic policy, economic theory of management theory and the real economy. There are four components that really must be seen in unity. This is also a single complex. Because the policy is based on misunderstood or poorly thought-out and developed theory. Management is unable to realize the policy objectives. Finally, the real economy is not able to be such that the management was directed in the right direction and it all would have become isolated as a whole. "

The speaker believe that when economic theorists put the blame on politics who had being wrong in their decisions, it would be nice to apply partly on themselves.

"We have in theory the concept of a single economic complex. We believe this obsolete concept, which was characteristic for some of the Brezhnev era and our economy has nothing to do. No, it does. And it should be theoretically due, is theoretically grounded and developed ", - said Kleiner.

Buzgalin Alexander, PhD, Professor of Economic Faculty of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov in his speech said that the new industrialization, is an active use and deployment of domestic demand factors, and we need to rebuild our economy - this is our main objective.

"For many years we have been talking about the priority development strategy. For our country - it is a challenge and an opportunity, "- said the moderator of the discussion.

Concluding the meeting, Alexander Buzgalin reminded that there is program of an alternative socio-economic development, and it is presented by a variety of scientists and activists, including MEF sites. Today, according to the professor, we need a redistribution of power in favor of the citizens, the use of mechanisms of an active industrial policy, democratization of ownership, the development of social justice in the allocation of resources, human development through the rise of education, science and culture.

Source: PR department of MEF

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