The subject of economic theory is so complexand multifaceted, how complex and dynamic a person's life is. Therefore, it is impossible to give him such a definition that would fit all stages of the development of society.
With regard to economic theory, views changed as knowledge about the economic activity of a person deepened. Also, the perception of it was influenced by its (activity) complication.
At first it was thought that the subject of economictheory is to increase the material wealth of people, or more precisely, its causes. Later, ideas about him were associated, on the contrary, with the scarcity of resources available to the individual. Of course, the possibilities of people are limited. But at the same time, there are many options for using available resources.
Characterizing the subject of economic theory, it is worthnote that it does not include directly studying everything that is available to man. In his competence is the study of people's behavior, related to the distribution, production, consumption of goods (intangible or material). It is for this reason that this science belongs to the humanitarian field.
The subject of economic theory has manydefinitions. Thus, A. Marshall referred to him the collective and individual actions of people associated with the production and use of material objects symbolizing prosperity. P. Samuelson defined it as human behavior, manifested during the selection of resources that have a limitation, with the aim of making new products. But the most concise and accurate is the wording given by Robbins, an English economist. He argued that the subject of economic theory are forms of human behavior that arise during the disposal of scarce resources. Consideration is given to the relationship between the finite means and the purposes of their use. When a person has several possibilities of using resources, he faces the problem of the right choice.
Economic theory is a creative science.It is continuously enriched with knowledge, accordingly, the subject of its research is constantly expanding and refining. In the conditions of the ongoing socialization and intellectualization of public life, the globalization of processes in the economy, the subject area of this science develops in the direction of complicating its problems. Additional layers of social relations are attracted to scientific research.
For the modern development of economic theory, the following features are characteristic:
- the rejection of the obligatory criteria of truth, claiming universality;
- multidirectionality of scientific creativity, methods and structure of cognition, the possibility of synthesis of ideas and theoretical concepts;
- expansion of the traditional problems of economic theory on the basis of those dynamic, complex processes that are generated by the global nature of tasks and arise in the course of social transformations;
- introduction of new methods of analysis into research;
- Interaction and tolerant competition between ideas and cognitive approaches, which helps to expand the vision in contradictory judgments.
Modern domestic economic theorymust take into account the national historical component, as it takes into account the characteristics of the country's economy, its capabilities, as well as the mentality of the people in this area and other moments.
Summarizing the above, one can consider the subject of science in the aspect of political economy. This definition reveals it much deeper and more versatile.
So, the subject of this science are lawsthe development of all economic systems and the activities of the subjects, oriented to the successful management of the economy, even in the conditions of a shortage of resources in order to meet their needs, as a rule, limitless.
