Gleb S. Belyakov, Artem A. Zhulikov «(Un)learned lessons of Perestroika» International conference proceedings

DOI: 10.38050/2078-3809-2026-18-1-178-189

Abstract

The article presents an overview of the proceedings of the International Scientific Conference «(Un)Learned Lessons of Perestroika» held on November 17-18, 2025, at the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The aim of the conference was to reflect on the socio-economic and political reforms of the 1980s, their prerequisites, and their long-term consequences. The participants, leading Russian and foreign economists, presented alternative viewpoints explaining the causes of the collapse of the late Soviet model and the subsequent development trajectory of the post-Soviet states. The authors of the article identify three main research vectors around which the discussion was structured: the institutional paradigm; elite analysis and the assessment of managerial decisions; and a comparative analysis of reforms in the USSR, China, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. A separate set of questions was devoted to the impact of perestroika on economic science and economic education in Russia. The authors conclude that there is no consensus among economists: most researchers acknowledge the negative consequences of the reforms of the 1980s, yet hold polarized opinions regarding the key factors that determined the outcome of perestroika.

Keywords: perestroika, reforms, political economy, economic development, institutions.

JEL: B00, B41, B52, O10, O40.

For citation: Belyakov, G.S., Zhulikov, A.A. (2026) «(Un)learned lessons of Perestroika» International conference proceedings. Scientific Research of Faculty of Economics. Electronic Journal, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 178-189. DOI: 10.38050/2078-3809-2026-18-1-178-189.

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