Political economy of socialism with Chinese characteristics: on the issue of intra- and interdisciplinary synthesis

Objective: to show the ontological potential of interdisciplinarity and paradigmatic pluralism in economic research by the example of the Chinese-specific socialism model and its description in Western socio-political discourse.Methods: qualitative methods (discourse analysis, comparative analysis, generalization).Results: the work shows the features of the discourse in modern economic theory regarding the problems of intra- and interdisciplinary synthesis. The economic mainstream, claiming the accuracy of its method of creating scientific knowledge, can and does become the basis of political knowledge and ideological judgments. Describing certain aspects of reality, the mainstream normalizes them, and sometimes elevates them to the rank of a rule. Based on the analysis of the Chinese model of economic reforms, the article shows that in Western socio-political and scientific discourses regarding this model, both at the stage of their beginning and now, there are erroneous ideas and expectations about the purpose, content and results of the reform process. The root cause of this false perception is, assumingly, the disciplinary isolation of economics, as economics is considered to be a universal extrapolitical and extra-cultural constant. To confirm this thesis, the main stages of the transformation of the ideology of building the Chinese economic model, its transition from an anti-market and anticapitalist position to a Chinese-specific socialism model are considered. It is shown that among the trajectories of China’s future development, Western economists and politicians saw only the two main ones: creeping liberalization and limiting the influence of the state in the Chinese economy, accompanied by democratization of the political sphere, on the one hand, and reaching the limits of economic growth possible for countries with authoritarian institutions, on the other. However, the collective action factor ignored by researchers has formed a stable growth economy, not accompanied by political liberalization.Scientific novelty: consists in comprehending the discourses about the Chinese economy as a result of the challenge posed by the Chinese reforms to mainstream political economy.Practical significance: the provisions and conclusions of the research can be further used to study the influence of economic theory on socio-political discourses and political decisions

Mesolevel in economic research: necessity or a future price for Ockham’s razor?

Objective: to consider the feasibility of partitioning the meso-level in economic analysis alongside with the classical micro- and macro-levels.Methods: qualitative methods, discourse analysis, comparative analysis, generalization.Results: it is shown that the idea of partitioning the meso-level in economic research is from the very beginning associated with the evolutionary and institutional direction of economic research. It is established that, despite the ignoring of meso- economics by the leading economic trends, this concept is being applied in the economic literature for almost half a century. Based on the analysis of various economic studies, the author formulates an answer to the question about the need to partition the level of meso-economics. The meso-level is understood by the author as an ontological space for the rules formation and institutionalization. The introduction of the meso-level concept in the theory of institutional reforms can be justified by the need to develop the latter. A critical issue in the theory of institutional reforms is the problem of implementing reforms in the established institutional environment. We believe that the main processes of distortion of the implemented norms that contribute to the formation of inefficient institutional states unfold precisely at the theoretical meso-level. Understanding these relationships can lead to more effective strategies that take into account the risks of meso-economics.Scientific novelty: the article is one of the first to raise the question of feasibility of introducing the meso-level concept into economic analysis from the viewpoint of the theory of reforms.Practical significance: the results obtained by the author are useful for further development of meso-economic theory, as well as for the formation of the theory of reforms

Prospects in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Tendencies in five main branches of atomic spectrometry (absorption, emission, mass, fluorescence and ionization spectrometry) are considered. The first three techniques are the most widespread and universal, with the best sensitivity attributed to atomic mass spectrometry. In the direct elemental analysis of solid samples, the leading roles are now conquered by laser-induced breakdown and laser ablation mass spectrometry, and the related techniques with transfer of the laser ablation products into inductively-coupled plasma. Advances in design of diode lasers and optical parametric oscillators promote developments in fluorescence and ionization spectrometry and also in absorption techniques where uses of optical cavities for increased effective absorption pathlength are expected to expand. Prospects for analytical instrumentation are seen in higher productivity, portability, miniaturization, incorporation of advanced software, automated sample preparation and transition to the multifunctional modular architecture. Steady progress and growth in applications of plasma- and laser-based methods are observed. An interest towards the absolute (standardless) analysis has revived, particularly in the emission spectrometry.Comment: Proofread copy with an added full reference list of 279 citations. A pdf version of the final published review may be requested from Alexander Bol'shakov <[email protected]

Mesolevel as Object of Research in the Scientific Economic Literature of Contemporary Russia

The idea of distinguishing the meso-level of economic analysis, filling the gap between macro and micro levels, is by no means new. It has not found a proper recognition and development in the work of representatives of the economic mainstream, but, on the contrary, steadily attracts the attention of the supporters of the heterodox directions of economic science. In this article, we propose a retrospective analysis of the development of the meso-level idea of economic analysis done by Russian economists. Three main directions of the development of the theory of mesoeconomic research are singled out: 1) a systematic approach: understanding the meso-level as a process of intra-industry interactions between economic agents with the goal of harmonizing the economic system; 2) Regional-spatial approach; 3) Theoretical approach of methodological institutionalism, developed within the framework of interdisciplinary intersections of economics and sociology. It is noted that the selected directions do not contradict and, on the contrary, complement each other. The development of the theory of mesoeconomics in the paradigm of the Kleiner-formula, which equates the object of mesoeconomics research with the space of formation of institutions and the institutions themselves, opens broad prospects for the development of the meso-level of economic analysis within the framework of institutional research. The practical need to separate the meso-level as a separate hierarchical stage of the economic structure, traditionally consisting of macro- and microlevels, is explained both by the need to expand the methodological tools of economic science and practical necessity, since it is assumed that meso-level is the space for the formation and consolidation of innovative solutions needed to ensure Growth