Economic and Political Results of 2002 and the Problems of Economic Policy at the Election Year

The article deals with the trends and priorities of social and economic policy of Russia in 2002-2003. It presents the detailed analysis of the current debate on economic growth in the country. The author stresses two important facets of contemporary growth. First, the importance of profound structural changes and development of post-industrial economic system. Second, the specifics of post-revolutionary development which means high level of transaction costs and diminishing rate of "reconstruction growth". The problems of WTO accession and Common European Economic Area are discussed also from the prospects of consolidation of economic growth. The influence of the forthcoming elections on the economic policy is also under discussion. The paper provides a list of economic policy priorities for 2003 and for the medium-term (3-4 years).