economic theory - a systemic, scientific exposition of human activity through the categories of laws, laws submitted by certain concepts.She studies the laws, the laws of development of economic activities, a methodological and theoretical basis for other sciences.
functions
Different authors identify different functions economics as a science, among them:
1. The education.
There are two aspects:
- terms facts, evidence, the provisions of analyzing reality, it produces scientific concepts;
- in positions, concepts disclosed categories, laws, patterns of development, which allows to know the nature of the production, distribution, exchange and consumption.
2. Critical.
Science is always in the process of research is faced with different approaches, judgments and decisions.Therefore, forming a certain concept, it must approach the situation is critical, proving their worth or failure.
3. Economic and practical (sometimes referred to simply as a pragmatic).
The essence of the function of the economy is that it should help make a real difference by encouraging the development of social production.But it is necessary here to bear in mind that economic theory does not attempt to teach people how to sow, to build houses, to produce oil.This is the task of other specific sciences - agriculture, construction and others.Functions of economics are to provide methods of solving various economic problems.
4. Predictive.
studying and systematizing processes occurring in the world, revealing the laws, categories, laws, it allows you to predict the further development, enabling more responsive to more efficient use of resources.
5. Methodological.
essence of the function of the economy is that this science is the basis which allows to determine the position of each subject, the focus of social development (market socialism, post-industrial system), depending on which issues get a specific estimate.
6. educational function.
It lies in the formation of certain attitudes, outlook on issues that affect the interests of society.This feature is particularly significant gains in terms deideologization science and all spheres of public life.
In another approach, the function of the economy include the following:
- organization of production, economic growth;
- efficiency;
- full employment;
- economic freedom;
- stable price level;
- security;
- trade balance;
- habitat conservation;
- equitable distribution of income.
subject
In modern textbooks celebrated two approaches to the subject.According to the positive economics, it is to explain the essence of the processes and phenomena, as well as make recommendations for the implementation of policies based on an analysis of actual practice (building models, free from subjective judgments).According to the normative economics, the subject defines the principles of economic behavior that are the basis for performance evaluation (subjective judgments about how it should be).
Thus, saying that are the subject of the method and function of economic theory, it should be said that the science of how society uses scarce resources for the production of material and spiritual wealth and distributes them among the various population groups.So it's fair to say that economic theory - the science that studies what to produce, how to produce, for whom to produce.
