Who founded the free economic society. Imperial Free Economic Society

Free Economic Society (VEO), one of the oldest in the world and the first economic society in Russia (free - formally independent from government departments).

Free Economic Society (VEO), one of the oldest in the world and the first economic society in Russia (free - formally independent from government departments). Established in St. Petersburg in 1765 by large landowners who, in the conditions of the growth of the market and commercial agriculture, sought to rationalize agriculture and increase the productivity of serf labor. The founding of the VEO was one of the manifestations of the policy of enlightened absolutism. VEO began its activities by announcing competitive tasks, publishing “Proceedings of VEO” (1766-1915, more than 280 volumes) and appendices to them. The first competition was announced on the initiative of Catherine II in 1766: “What is the property of a farmer (peasant), whether in the land he cultivates or in movable property, and what right can he have to both for the benefit of the people?” Of the 160 responses from Russian and foreign authors, the most progressive was Op. jurist A. Ya. Polenov, who criticized serfdom. The answer displeased the VEO competition committee and was not published. Until 1861, 243 competitive problems of a political-economic and scientific-economic nature were announced. Political economic issues concerned 3 problems: 1) land ownership and serfdom, 2) the comparative profitability of corvee and quitrent, 3) the use of hired labor in agriculture.

The society published the first statistical and geographical studies of Russia. VEO competitions, periodicals contributed to the introduction of industrial crops and improved tools into agriculture Agriculture, the development of livestock farming (especially sheep breeding), beekeeping, sericulture, beet-sugar, distillery, and linen industries on patrimonial farms. At the end of the 18th century. agronomists A. T. Bolotov, I. M. Komov, V. A. Levshin, scientist A. A. Nartov, famous political figure M. I. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, Admiral A. I. Sinyavin, poet G. R. Derzhavin. In the 1st half of the 19th century. N. S. Mordvinov, K. D. Kavelin, I. V. Vernadsky took an active part in its work. In the post-reform period, VEO played an advanced social role and was one of the centers of economic thought of liberal landowners and the bourgeoisie. In the 60-70s. discussed the development of the peasant land community. At the end of the 90s. in the VEO there were public disputes between “legal Marxists” and populists about the “fate of capitalism” in Russia. In the 60-80s. The society carried out extensive scientific agronomic activities. In 1861-1915, D. I. Mendeleev, V. V. Dokuchaev, A. M. Butlerov, A. N. Beketov, P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, Yu. E. Yanson, N. took part in the work of the VEO. F. Annensky, M. M. Kovalevsky, L. N. Tolstoy, A. B. Struve, M. I. Tugan-Baranovsky, O. D. Forsh, E. V. Tarle.

In 1900, the tsarist government began an offensive against the VEO, trying to turn it into a narrow technical and agronomic institution. The famine relief committees (founded in the 90s) and the literacy committee (founded in 1861) were closed, a demand was made to revise the company's charter, and access to unauthorized persons was prohibited at meetings of the VEO. Despite this, VEO published reviews of the agrarian movement in Russia in 1905-1906, and questionnaires on the attitude of the peasantry to the Stolypin agrarian reform in 1907-11. In 1915, the activities of VEO virtually ceased, and in 1919 the company was formally liquidated.

Lit.: Khodnev A.I., History of the Imperial Free Economic Society from 1765 to 1865, St. Petersburg, 1865; Beketov A. N., Historical sketch of the 25-year activity of the Imperial Free Economic Society from 1865 to 1890, St. Petersburg. 1890; Kovalevsky M. M., To the 150th anniversary of the Imperial Free Economic Society, "Bulletin of Europe", 1915, book. 12; Bak I. S., A. Ya. Polenov, in the collection: Historical Notes, vol. 28, [M.], 1949; Oreshkin V.I., Free economic society in Russia (1765-1917), Historical and economic essay, M., 1963.

History of VEO of Russia

In 1765, a group of famous people in Russia (Count Vorontsov, Prince Grigory Orlov, Count Chernyshev, Olsufiev and others) sent a letter to Empress Catherine II with the following content:

All-Merciful, Most Sovereign, Great - Wise Empress and Autocrat of All-Russia, All-Merciful Empress!

The reign of YOUR IMPERIAL MAJESTY is the plan for the fatherland in which our bliss is apparently accomplished. With Your Majesty's tireless work and care for the affairs, the integrity and well-being of the constituent Empire, apparently, your patronage acts so much for the Sciences and Arts; and hereby your subjects are encouraged in the hearts of lovers in educating themselves and in enlightening others. Looking at this, we, all our subjects, will unite by voluntary agreement to establish a meeting between us, in which we intend common labor try to improve Agriculture and Housekeeping. Our zeal and zeal, no matter how great, but when they are not supported by the patronage of the Monarchs, then our work will be without implementation.

Members of the Free Economic Society

In her response message, Catherine wrote:

Gentlemen members of the Free Economic Society,

The intention you have undertaken to improve agriculture and house-building is very pleasing to us, and the work resulting from it will be direct proof of your true zeal and love for your Fatherland. Your plan and charter, which you have committed to each other, WE praise and, in agreement with the All-Merciful, we test that you called yourself a Free Economic Society. Please be trustworthy that WE accept it under Our special protection; For the seal you are requesting, we not only allow you to use in all cases, during your labors, Our Imperial coat of arms, but also as a sign of Our excellent goodwill towards you, we allow you to put Our own motto inside it, a bee bringing honey to a hive with the inscription Useful. On top of this, we most graciously bestow upon your society six thousand rubles to rent a decent house, both for your meeting and for the establishment of an Economic Library in it. Your work, with God's help, will be rewarded to you and your descendants with your own benefit, and WE, as we increase your Diligence, will not leave Our Favor to you.

Catherine October 31 days 1765

The date indicated on the letter is considered the beginning of the existence of the oldest scientific and public organization in the world and the first in our country.

The first Charter of the Society stated: “There is no more convenient means of increasing the people’s well-being in any state than to try to bring the economy to a better state, showing the proper ways in which natural crops can be used with greater benefit and previous shortcomings can be corrected.” Subsequently, the goals and objectives of the VEO were repeatedly clarified and expanded in a general economic direction, covering not only agriculture, but also industry. From its first meetings, the Society placed research at the center of its activities, thereby marking the beginning of the study of the economic life of the country. One of the early documents of the VEO noted: “What is not in Russia - everything you need is there; you need to take advantage of what is offered in nature, you need knowledge, care and observation...”.

In 1766, the VEO held the first competition on the question sent by Catherine II: “What is the property of a farmer - is it in the land that he cultivates, or in movable property, and what right can he have to both for the benefit of the whole people?” Subsequently, various competitions on political economics and applied agricultural and technical problems were held regularly: in the first century of the Society’s work alone, 243 tasks were announced, among which the 1796 competition for the compilation of the “People's Encyclopedia” can be highlighted in order to popularize scientific knowledge.

From the first days of VEO's life, practical work began - free distribution of seeds, introduction of potato crops, hitherto unknown to Russians. In 1766, the Society raised the issue of spare stores and public plowing. Soon, VEO began producing smallpox vaccine for the population. However, the main activity of VEO remained economic analytics.

In 1790, the Society developed and published an extensive program of local research entitled: “An outline for the ongoing task and reward of those works that will inform it about the economic descriptions of private Russian governorships.” In 1801, the VEO achieved the highest order to “compel governors to answer,” and from 1829 it collected the necessary information from landowners and the clergy. In 1847, the Society collected and published data on bread prices, forests and the timber industry, two years later it equipped a special expedition to collect information about the black earth belt, and in 1853 it published materials on agricultural statistics.

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, VEO organized a congress of rural owners of Russia, at which the question was comprehensively discussed: “What should be the measures for the study of Russia in economically, and what kind of participation both the Free Economic Society and other scientists can take in this matter." The next year, together with the Geographical Society, an extensive study of grain trade and productivity in Russia was undertaken, which resulted in a number of scientific works (Barkovsky, Janson , Bezobrazov and others).

Since 1870, the VEO began studying the activities of zemstvos and published a special “Zemstvo Yearbook”, and in 1877 it undertook a study of the Russian community, which culminated in the publication of a solid collection. In 1889, the Society conducted a study of the arrears of peasants using the example of one of the districts of the Russian outback, and in 1896-98 - a study of agricultural cooperatives in the Kherson province. At the same time, based on the reports of Chuprov, Posnikov, Annensky, the question of the influence of harvests on different sides economic life, according to the reports of Tugan-Baranovsky and Struve, the question of the direction economic development Russia.

The financial problems of the country were also in the field of view of the members of the Society. In 1886, the VEO raised the issue of income tax, in 1893 sharply protested against the introduction of the salt tax, in 1896 discussed a project of monetary reform in Russia, and in 1898 petitioned for a revision of customs tariffs.

Since the 20s of the 19th century, the Society has been actively involved in issues of agricultural education. In 1833, Emperor Nicholas I granted him capital, for which for a long time rural teachers were trained. For many years, VEO maintained its own agricultural school, beekeeping school, had its own workshop and even a museum. While working on the problems of soil science, the Society summarized the well-known works of Dokuchaev in the book “Russian Chernozem”.

The Society paid great attention to statistical issues, developing methodology and ways of organizing valuation work. In 1900, a congress of zemstvo statisticians was convened under the special statistical commission of the VEO.

Since 1849, numerous exhibitions have been held under the auspices of the VEO: herded cattle, dairy farming, agricultural implements and machines, dried fruits and vegetables, etc. In 1850 and 1860, the Society organized exhibitions of “rural works” on a nationwide scale. At several international and world exhibitions (Paris, 1878, 1889; Prague, 1879; Chicago, 1893 and others), VEO expositions received the highest awards.

At various times, among the members of the Society were such outstanding scientists as Beketov, Vernadsky, Lesgaft, Mendeleev, famous travelers - Bellingshausen, Krusenstern, Litke, Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, writers - Derzhavin, Stasov, Tolstoy. In 1909, the VEO had more than 500 members, and there were correspondents in a number of foreign countries. The Society existed thanks to government subsidies, numerous private donations and membership fees, had its own house in St. Petersburg, and at one time owned part of Petrovsky Island and an experimental farm on the Okhta River.

All scientific and practical activities of the VEO are reflected in the “Proceedings of the Imperial Free Economic Society” (281 issues) published from its very foundation until 1915, not counting over 150 separate works on various issues and publications of the Literacy Committee, which worked under the Society from 1861 to 1895 year. In addition, periodicals were published under the flag of the VEO at different times: “Economic News”, “Circle of Economic Information”, “Atlas of the Museum of the Imperial Free Economic Society”, “Forest Journal”, “Economic Notes”, “Russian Beekeeping Leaflet” and others .

The privileged position of VEO and the rights given to it were confirmed by each of the successors of Catherine II (with the exception of Paul I) upon their accession to the throne. The last highest rescript, given on November 21, 1894, drew attention to the useful activities of the Society and declared favor for its labors.

From the second half of the 1890s, the period of rapid prosperity of the Society's activities gave way to a time of increasing decline, which was facilitated by the liberal sentiments of some of its members, which caused discontent with the authorities. In 1895, the “unreliable” Literacy Committee was torn away from the VEO, in 1898, the Famine Relief Committee operating under the Society was closed, some publications of the VEO were banned, and the minutes of its meetings were confiscated. In 1900, the authorities banned public meetings of the Society, placed its work under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture and State Property, and demanded that the Charter be revised to limit it to narrow practical issues. VEO actually curtailed its work, restoring it in full only after the Tsar's Manifesto of 1905.

When World War I broke out, the VEO organized relief efforts for war victims while simultaneously discussing wartime government budget issues and the situation of economic distress. During one of these meetings in 1915, the activities of the Society were suddenly interrupted and prohibited. After February Revolution In 1917, the VEO became more active again, and under it they even created the Petrograd branch of the League of Agrarian Reforms. However, after the October Revolution, there was no place at all for a Society with “free” principles. The complete cessation of any subsidies and political persecution accelerated its collapse, recorded in 1919. Only many years later, in 1963, the Society, which had done so much for the good of the Fatherland, was remembered in connection with a letter to the CPSU Central Committee from historian A.P. Berdyshev, who proposed celebrating the 200th anniversary of the VEO. But functionaries from the CPSU Central Committee and VASKhNIL blocked the initiative, considering it “inappropriate.”

The social traditions of Russian economists really began to revive only in 1982, when the Scientific and Economic Society (SES) arose, which created its branches in all regions of the then USSR. The initiative to create the NEO belonged to academician T.S. Khachaturov. In 1987, with the active participation of Pavlov V.S. - President of the VEO, a major statesman and scientist - NEO was transformed into the All-Union Economic Society. In 1992, the organization of economists was returned to its historical name - Free Economic Society of Russia. VEO of Russia is the spiritual successor and continuer of the traditions of the imperial Free Economic Society, which is legally enshrined. A huge contribution to the development of the Society’s activities rightfully belongs to the President of the VEO of Russia, Professor G.Kh. Popov.

VEO today is an organization with branches in almost all regions of Russia. The society unites more than 11 thousand organizations, about 300 thousand academic economists and practitioners, employees of state and public enterprises and organizations, and new economic structures. Members of the VEO of Russia have joined forces to form public opinion on the most important issues of the country’s economic development, actively cooperate with government agencies, evaluate various projects and programs, conduct research work, advise representatives of federal, regional and local authorities on current issues. economic policy. The activities of the Free Economic Society of Russia found understanding and support among the country's top leaders. The reputation of VEO Russia is indisputable.

VEO of Russia conducts major research and participates in international forums and conferences. Among them we can highlight the All-Russian Forum “Problems of Long-Term Development of the Russian Economy” in the Kremlin, round table meetings “ The economic growth Russia" under the leadership of Vice-President of the VEO of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences L.I. Abalkinav in the House of Economist, series of studies “Problems of national and international economic security”, “Anti-crisis management in the banking and production sector”, International congresses on interregional cooperation.

VEO of Russia is the initiator of the creation of the International Union of Economists, being its member, the Society carries out significant work to promote the economic and social progress of the world community, participates in the development of interregional programs of the UN, UNESCO, the European Union, and the Pacific Cooperation Council. VEO of Russia also actively cooperates with foreign non-governmental structures, enterprises, foundations, and scientists. We can name such VEO programs of Russia, carried out in cooperation with international organizations, as “Problems of Employment”, “Problems of Investment, Development of the Financial and Banking System”, “Environmental Problems of Safe and Sustainable Development of the World Economy”, forum “World Experience and Economy” Russia".

Members of the VEO of Russia are actively working to train a new generation of economists. The society developed the concept of teaching the basics of economics in schools, since this science has not yet been included in the compulsory secondary education program. Schoolchildren, students and graduate students have the opportunity to submit their scientific works on economic issues to the All-Russian competition of young economists held by the society on the topic “Economic growth of Russia”. It is very popular not only in Moscow, but also in the regions - more than 4.5 thousand people apply for jury consideration. The winners of the competition receive not only significant monetary awards, but also the opportunity to publish their essays in a separate volume of the Proceedings of the Free Economic Society. Under the VEO of Russia, the Association of Young Economists was formed and began to actively work.

The Free Economic Society of Russia works for both the future and the present. In this regard, the Russian competition “Manager of the Year”, organized by the VEO of Russia and the International Academy of Management with the support of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, is of particular importance. Holding such a competition is not just a selection of the best representatives from the corps of managers, it is a serious reason for understanding the path traveled and developing guidelines for the further development of the Russian economy. This competition is designed to help improve management efficiency. The organizers see the objectives of the competition as identifying the elite of the Russian managerial corps and disseminating the experience of effective leadership. The jury, which included ministers of various industries, their deputies, directors of large enterprises, scientists, is headed by the Honorary Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation E.S. Stroev.

Members of the Society give lectures and conduct seminars for managers, accountants, heads of marketing services and other employees of various companies. These advanced training programs make it possible to increase the efficiency of enterprises and organizations.

VEO of Russia, like the pre-revolutionary one Imperial Society, conducts active publishing activities. To the 90th anniversary of T.S. Khachaturov, a collection of his works was published on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of L.I. Abalkin, a four-volume volume of his works has been published, and the “Economy” newsletter is being published jointly with the International Union of Economists and the International Academy of Management. Since 1994, the annual publication of the Society's Proceedings has been resumed. More than 40 scientific volumes have already been published. It must be said that from 1982 to 2002, VEO of Russia published almost the same amount scientific works, as much as the Imperial Society during the 152 years of its existence from 1765 to 1917. The “Bibliographic Directory of VEO Publications” has been published, a unique collection containing information about all the Society’s publications from 1765 to the present, including publications of all regional organizations of the VEO of Russia. The VEO of Russia published the newspaper "Byloye", and for several years the newspaper "Economic News of Russia and the Commonwealth" and a collection of normative acts "Documents" have been published. The total annual circulation of scientific works and newspaper magazines published by the Free Economic Society of Russia and the International Union of Economists is 11 million copies of printed materials. A gallery of portraits of all VEO presidents has been created and a book-album of biographies of VEO presidents has been published based on serious archival research (in Russian and English).

The Free Economic Society was created in order to disseminate among the nobility progressive ideas for organizing agricultural work to increase productivity and make labor more rational. The society was created on November 11, 1765 and was under the patronage of Catherine 2 (it was the first scientific society in Russia), as part of the implementation of the ideas of enlightened absolutism. Society members published books, magazines, and held exhibitions. The article is devoted to a description of the history of the organization of the Free Economic Society, as well as an analysis of the main results of its activities.

For what purpose was the Free Economic Society created?

In the 18th century, Enlightenment ideas began to gain popularity in Russia. The basis of these ideas is the role of science and education in social and state progress. For the first time, the ideas of the Enlightenment came to Russia under Peter 1, as a result of which the Academy of Sciences was opened. Later, the spread of Enlightenment ideas led to the opening of a university and other educational institutions in Moscow. The peak of popularity of Enlightenment thinkers occurred during the reign of Catherine II. The Empress herself was on friendly terms with Voltaire and Diderot, who were considered classics of the French Enlightenment. Communication with Diderot forced Catherine to think about creating scientific publications in Russia, following the example of the Encyclopedia. Correspondence with Voltaire pushed the empress to create organizations that would bring progressive ideas to the people. The main sector of the Russian economy was agriculture, which is why this area required reforms, using the best practices and progressive ideas of Europe.

Creation of the Society

In 1765, dignitaries close to Catherine, Grigory Orlov and Roman Vorontsov, approached the Empress with the idea of ​​creating an organization that would disseminate progressive ideas of farming among landowners, as well as knowledge of livestock breeding and agronomy. According to the initiators, the Russian nobles knew only one way to increase productivity - expanding the territory, as well as increasing peasant duties. This is how a free economic society was born.

In the modern language of economics, landowners chose the extensive way of farming, and the newly created Society, and in fact a public organization, would disseminate the ideas of the intensive way, that is, increasing productivity through rational policies and scientific achievements (fertilizers, and later technology). The Empress supported the idea, and the Free Economic Society was organized. The two creators were also joined by Adam Olsufiev and Ivan Chernyshev.

As for the organizational aspect, the Society was to be headed by a president, who was elected by the participants and approved by the monarch. Until 1783, Grigory Orlov was president. In the first years of its activity, the society published the journal “Proceedings”, on the pages of which articles were published about the latest methods of soil treatment and information about fertilizers. In addition, members of the free economic society collected statistical information about climatic features regions of Russia. The magazine was published until 1855, and in total more than 30 volumes were printed. However, the most high-profile event in the activities of the Free Society was an essay competition on improving peasant life.

Peasant reform competition

Later, the Free Society announced a competition for the best plan for solving the peasant question in Russia. The peculiarity was that foreigners could participate in the competition. Several interesting projects were submitted this way.

Among the Russian works, A. Polenov was singled out, who proposed to weaken serfdom in Russia as much as possible, transferring large plots of land to the peasants, but in return giving them duties. Polenov's work was never published because it contained a detailed criticism of the serfdom system in Russia.

The most radical project was Voltaire, who proposed completely freeing the peasants by transferring land to their ownership. The very fact of the participation of the great philosopher and poet in this competition attracted the attention of all of Europe to this event.

The winner of the competition was the project of the Frenchman Bearde de Labey, who proposed to free the peasants, but transferring small plots of land into their ownership, which would force them to rent the land from the owners - the nobles.

Despite the great interest in the competition, its ideas remained projects. However, despite this, for the first time the nobility faced the question of the future of the serfdom system.

Free economic society in the 19th century

In the mid-19th century, the Society expanded significantly and consisted of three sections:

• Agriculture;
• Agricultural equipment;
• Agricultural Statistics.

An interesting fact is that the society bought land near St. Petersburg and created a site for experiments there. This was called the Okhtinskaya farm. In 1899, the Society began publishing the journal Soil Science.

During the reforms of Alexander II, the Free Society became a place for discussing liberal ideas. That is why at the end of the century it came under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture, effectively ceasing to be a public organization. In fact, the Free Society ceased to exist in 1915; the society was finally dissolved in 1919 during the Civil War.

Has the society achieved its objectives?

Despite much scientific and statistical work, as well as the popularization of progressive methods of farming, historians question the effectiveness of the Free Economic Society. Today, most historians believe that the Society did not fulfill its task, because, despite the large number of publications, only a few nobles became interested in modernizing the village. However, the very fact of the Society’s existence prompted discussions about the future of the village in the Russian Empire. It was the Society that first forced the nobles to think about the serfdom system and its problems. Thus, the main merits of the Free Economic Society lie in the theoretical sphere; the matter never reached large-scale practice.

Material from Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia

All-Russian public organization "Free Economic Society of Russia"(abbreviated as LLC "VEO Rossii") is one of the oldest in the world and the first public organization in our country, uniting economists and specialists in the field of management, finance, education, banking and other areas with the aim of developing and strengthening the economy of Russia and its regions, all sectors of the national economy. VEO of Russia is the spiritual successor and continuer of traditions Imperial Free Economic Society(1765 – 1918). The company operates throughout the territory Russian Federation, it includes 65 regional and interregional organizations. In 2015, VEO of Russia celebrated its 250th anniversary.

Free Economic Society of Russia
VEO of Russia
Administrative center	Moscow , st. Tverskaya, no. 22A
Type of organization	Public organization
Managers
President of VEO of Russia	Bodrunov Sergey Dmitrievich
Base
Date of foundation	October 31, 1765
veorus.ru

Story

The Free Economic Society of Russia was founded on October 31 (November 11 according to the present day) 1765 by decree of the Empress Catherine II, before October revolution was called the Imperial Free Economic Society (1765-1918), during the USSR it was called the Scientific-Economic Society (1982-1987) and the All-Union Economic Society (1987-1991), and in 1992 it regained its historical name - the Free Economic Society of Russia. The main task of the organization since its founding has been the practical use of scientific achievements in the interests of social development. All subsequent public organizations in Russia relied on the experience of the VEO, the forms and methods of work it developed.

Project M.V. Lomonosov

The first document relating to the history of the Free Economic Society was written by a Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov in 1763. This is “Opinion on the establishment of the State Collegium of (Rural) Zemstvo House Construction,” which is today stored in the Archives of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Three sheets of paper schematically outline the concept of an organization consisting of highly educated people, whose duties will be to “read foreign books and correspondence,” “read essays and reason,” and regularly “report new ones to the board in kind of adventures.” The organization should be managed by a president and vice-president, “very knowledgeable in the natural sciences,” and its basis would be “members throughout the state” - correspondent nobles and managers of “state and palace villages.” Their reports on practical experience in farming, “news and reports about the weather and about harvests and crop shortages, about dryness,” “about products,” village crafts, canals, roads, soils and forests, as well as “about economy” in general should were admitted to the Collegium, summarized by experts, including M.V. Lomonosov envisioned physicists, mechanics, chemists, geologists, botanists, doctors, etc., and regularly, at least once a year, be published in the form of collections of scientific and practical articles.

After the death of M.V. Lomonosov, his ideas were implemented in the Plan and Charter of the Free Economic Society: “This society, based on the voluntary association of members, will be governed by itself, under the chairmanship of the President, every four months by voting for the elected one. For the same reason, all disputes about ranks and seniority are completely abandoned, both between members now joining and those admitted in the future, and each, without prejudice to the other, sits wherever he pleases. Meetings are held once a week, on a designated day.”

Creation of VEO

On October 12, 1765, a group of well-known and influential people in Russia statesmen turned to Catherine II with a request to provide the highest personal patronage to their voluntary association with the aim of searching, testing and popularizing progressive methods of farming and developing the state economy. The appeal was signed by 15 persons, among whom were the Adjutant General of Catherine II Count Grigory Orlov, godson of Peter the Great senator Adam Olsufiev, actual privy councilor Roman Vorontsov, Chief Prosecutor of the Senate Ivan Chernyshev, future president of the Berg College Andrey Nartov, scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Medical College.

The letter from the founders of the VEO to the Empress said: “... we, the most all-subjects, have united by voluntary agreement to establish a meeting among us, in which we intend to work together to try to improve agriculture and house-building. Our zeal and zeal, no matter how great, but when they are not supported by the patronage of the Monarchs, then our work will be without implementation. For this reason, we boldly accept to ask Your Imperial Majesty, so that we may have the happiness of being under the sole protection of Your Imperial Majesty, and that our Society will be governed in its own works by its own obligations and regulations, which is why it would be called in all cases the Free Economic Society...”

The VEO Plan and Charter were attached to the letter. Grigory Orlov personally delivered them to the empress. On November 2, 1765, a response message came from the Winter Palace, in which Catherine II approved this initiative: “... The intention you have undertaken to correct agriculture and house-building is very pleasing to us, and the work resulting from it will be direct proof of your true zeal and love for your to the fatherland. Your plan and charter, which you have committed to each other, We praise and, in agreement with the All-Merciful, approve that you have called yourself a Free Economic Society. Please be trustworthy that We accept it under Our special protection...”

All subsequent Russian emperors, with the exception of Paul I, upon accession to the Russian throne, with a special rescript, invariably confirmed their special patronage of the activities of the VEO, noting its significance for the state.

The date in Catherine II’s letter to the founders of the Free Economic Society is October 31, 1765, which is considered the founding day of the Free Economic Society.

Activities of VEO before the abolition of serfdom

The priority of the first hundred years of the existence of the VEO was the development and modernization of agricultural production as the main sector of the economy in the Russian Empire. The activities of economists during this period had a pronounced practical orientation; all the economic problems of the country were reflected in it in one way or another.

All members of the organization were required to conduct practical experiments on their estates in growing and acclimatizing new varieties of grain crops, forage grasses, vegetables and fruits, test new agricultural implements, apply in practice progressive methods of agriculture, livestock farming, fish farming, etc., describe their experiences and send reports to St. Petersburg, where the Imperial Free Economic Society was located. The articles were considered at meetings of the VEO Council, the best of them were published in the collections “Proceedings of the Free Economic Society”.

In 1766, an advertisement was published in “Proceedings of VEO” and in newspapers about a competition for the best answer from an economic point of view to the question “What is the property of a farmer - is it in the land that he cultivates, or in movable property, and what is his right to Can we have both for public benefit?” In response, 160 works were received in Russian, German, French and Latin. The competition aroused great interest in Europe. Among its participants were Leonard Euler , AND I. Polenov , A.P. Sumarokov and others. According to some researchers, one of the works (in the VEO archives it was assigned No. 71) was sent to the competition by a young A.N. Radishchev. Labor differs from all others in its unconditional resolution of the issue of ownership, including land, in favor of the peasants.

VEO maintained several experimental farms and apiaries, was engaged in the purchase and distribution of seeds, and published special manuals on the cultivation, storage and preparation of commercial crops that were new to Russia at that time, such as potatoes, sunflowers, sugar beets, tobacco, corn, etc. In 1768 It was in the “Proceedings of VEO” that the first article on potato cultivation was published, which began an active VEO campaign to disseminate the experience of growing this root crop in Russia.

VEO members closely followed technical innovations and often sent their inventions on mechanics and rural architecture to the Society Council for consideration. Even in the first edition of the Charter of the VEO it was stated: “... to monitor foreign farming and order models of the best arable tools from those places where agriculture flourishes and store them with the Society.” Drawings and descriptions were published in the Proceedings of VEO.

In 1803, a permanent museum of agricultural implements and equipment was opened under the Free Economic Society. It presented working models of various agricultural implements or their reduced copies. From 1824 to 1845, VEO maintained its own mechanical workshop, which made modern agricultural implements for sale at reasonable prices.

Members of the VEO three times (1766-1784, 1790-1815, 1845-1853) conducted campaigns to collect information about life in the regions of the Russian Empire. The survey questions covered all aspects of economic statistics. Reports and essays were periodically published as separate articles in the Proceedings of VEO. The provision of economic descriptions of “private Russian governorships” to the Society was encouraged with monetary awards, as well as gold and silver medals. The first person to send his essay about the Kashira district of the Moscow province to VEO was a writer, scientist, and founder of Russian agronomy A.T. Bolotov. In 1851, the Minister of State Property P.D. Kiselev officially invited VEO to collect information about the economy for the needs of the government.

For more than a century (from 1765 to 1895), the Free Economic Society was a scientific and practical center for the spread of smallpox vaccination. In the second half of the 18th century, the Proceedings of VEO published articles, instructions and tasks encouraging healthy populations to voluntarily vaccinate with smallpox before the outbreak of epidemics. After opening E. Jenner more new in a safe way to prevent the disease, VEO began promoting vaccination of people with cowpox. From 1824 to 1857, by the highest order of Nicholas I, each province had to annually transfer 1000 rubles to the VEO. for carrying out smallpox vaccination activities. Members of the Society themselves made significant donations. With these funds, glasses and lancets for vaccinations were purchased and sent to the regions, educational manuals and leaflets on the benefits of smallpox vaccination were printed, and vaccination specialists were trained. In 1846, the first permanent vaccination room in Russia began operating in the house of the Free Economic Society.

In 1849, the Free Economic Society organized the first scientific expedition to study the Black Earth Strip, in which they took part P.P. Semenov (Tian-Shansky) And N.Ya. Danilevsky.

In 1850, on the initiative of the President of the VEO Prince P.G. Oldenburgsky For the first time in Russia, the Society organized and held an all-Russian agricultural exhibition in St. Petersburg. It featured more than 3,500 exhibits: various varieties of agricultural and industrial crops, livestock and draft animals, livestock products, manufactured goods, machines and models of improved agricultural implements, samples of soils, ores, clay, salt, etc. The prize fund of the exhibition exceeded 13,500 rubles. silver In addition to cash prizes, 505 gold and silver and 180 bronze medals were awarded. Participants came from all provinces of the European part of Russia, as well as from Siberia, Finland and the Caucasus. The next similar exhibition took place only 10 years later and was again held under the auspices of the Free Economic Society. Since then, large-scale handicraft and industrial exhibitions have become the most popular in Russia.

Economists in 1861-1895.

Shortly before the abolition of serfdom in Russia, the activities of the Free Economic Society were divided into several directions. In addition to narrow agricultural tasks, political economic issues began to be discussed more and more often at its meetings. VEO became a place of attraction for many progressive scientists and prominent public figures of the second half of the 19th century century.

In April 1861, on the initiative S.S. Lashkareva was created under the Imperial VEO Literacy Committee to teach peasants counting, reading, writing and the basics of law. The Committee was supported by Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna(wife of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, an active supporter of the abolition of serfdom), who considered educational activities to be the most important in connection with the liberal reforms taking place in the country. In her letter to the VEO, she wrote: “Gradually increasing literacy, and in view of the transformations undertaken by the Government, which undoubtedly should further increase among the people, makes it necessary to Special attention for the publication of books for folk reading, capable of serving useful instruction to rural residents in various branches of their occupations.” The Literacy Committee was involved in the creation of rural schools, the formation of libraries, and the provision of teaching aids and adapted literature, teacher training, and publication of books for public reading. In 1895, under pressure from the authorities, the St. Petersburg Literacy Committee, whose number already reached 3,000 people, was closed. As Moskovskie Vedomosti wrote in 1896, for “the desire of the intelligentsia to seize, if possible, the public school into their own hands and direct it in accordance with their ideals and political goals.”

On December 27, 1883, the “Normal Regulations on Lower Agricultural Schools” were adopted in Russia, which was based on a project developed by the Free Economic Society.

In December 1861, a Political-Economic Committee was created under the Free Economic Society, the only one of its kind in the entire Russian Empire. Largely thanks to the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues related to economic development in the VEO, Russia began to develop its own economic school. The members of the Political-Economic Committee were scientists, economists, high-ranking officials, incl. A.V. Soviets , V.P. Bezobrazov , E.I. Lamansky , S.A. Greig , N.I. Tarasenko-Otreshkov , I.V. Vernadsky, as well as writers and publicists I.A. Arsenyev, V.A. Vladimirsky, N.Ya. Dubensky, D.D. Protopopov and others. Committee meetings with varying intensity took place over the course of 35 years.

In 1865, with money from the Imperial VEO N.V. Vereshchagin organized the first peasant cheese-making artel in the Tver province, which marked the beginning of the development of the dairy industry in Russia. By agreement with the Company N.V. Vereshchagin was supposed to create five similar enterprises annually in different regions. From 1866 to 1869 VEO annually allocated 1,300 rubles from its budget for training cheese makers, replacing broken equipment and initial organizational needs.

In 1867-1868 Together with the Russian Geographical Society, VEO organized and conducted several expeditions to study the grain trade. The reports were published in the three-volume Proceedings of the Expedition Equipped by the Imperial Free Economic and Russian Geographical Societies to Study the Grain Trade and Productivity in Russia and enjoyed great popularity for many years.

In 1866, VEO supported the initiative DI. Mendeleev conduct a series of experiments on the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, paying for the rental of plots, the work of “observers,” tools, fertilizers and seeds. This made it possible, within two years, to prove the need for liming acidic soils, to test options for using ground phosphorites and superphosphate, nitrogen and potassium fertilizers to increase grain yields, and to test several options for the simultaneous application of mineral and organic fertilizers. As a result, many times more grain was harvested on the experimental fields than on neighboring farms.

In 1871, he headed the Beekeeping Commission of the Free Economic Society A.M. Butlerov, who made a great contribution to the technical and technological re-equipment of domestic beekeeping.

In 1877, a Soil Commission was created under the Free Economic Society, whose members, incl. A.V. Sovetov, D.I. Mendeleev, A.M. Butlerov, V.V. Dokuchaev and A.I. Khodnev, opposed the so-called law of diminishing soil fertility. In 1877-1881, VEO financed expeditions V.V. Dokuchaeva on the study of chernozems, as a result of which the method was developed field description soils and an understanding of their zonal distribution emerged. In 1880, the Soil Museum was opened at the VEO, which existed until the Revolution, where hundreds of soil samples from all regions of Russia were stored. Based on this collection, Dokuchaev and his students created soil maps of various territories.

By 1885, due to the emergence large number professional industry societies VEO practically stopped dealing with issues of agricultural production, almost completely switching to educational activities.

During the famine of 1891-1892 and 1893-1894. The VEO Literacy Committee organized the collection and delivery of money, grain and humanitarian aid to the provinces affected by crop failure. These actions provoked a conflict between the Free Economic Society and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which prohibited any public discussion of the humanitarian catastrophe and any mention of the word “hunger” in the press.

Confrontation 1895-1918

By the end of the 19th century, the Imperial VEO turned into a scientific community in opposition to the government, where the most polar points of view were expressed. Open lectures by leading political economists in the House of the Free Economic Society were very popular among St. Petersburg residents, especially among university youth. In the late 1880s, lectures were given at VEO M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky And P.B. Struve, members of the Political and Economic Committee of the VEO.

In 1895, particularly sharp statements by some liberal-minded VEO leaders aroused the government's dissatisfaction. The work of VEO was banned for the first time. The authorities demanded to change the charter of the public organization and transfer the Literacy Committee to the Ministry of Education. And the VEO itself was ordered to focus all its attention on the development of agriculture, without touching on general economic and political economic issues. Since 1895, the Free Economic Society was formally transferred to the subordination of the Ministry of State Property. In 1900, Nicholas II ordered the creation of a commission to develop a draft of a new charter for the VEO. Members of the Society boycotted this decision and continued to carry out their activities, citing the Charter approved in 1872. Gendarmes were often on duty at economists' meetings.

In 1904, members of the Free Economic Society were finally prohibited from holding their meetings. Nevertheless, in 1903-1905. under the VEO there worked a Peasant Commission headed by N.F. Annensky, created to study the influence of market relations on the life, way of life and ways of managing the common people. The commission revealed a direct correlation between crop failures and the strengthening of revolutionary sentiments among the peasantry. As a result, detailed information was collected about the causes and course of development of the peasant movement in Russia on the eve of the 1905 revolution.

The 1905 manifesto allowed the VEO to briefly resume its work in full. In 1914, VEO began organizing aid rural population in war-affected areas. At the meetings of the Society, economic actions of the authorities in wartime conditions were discussed. There was a lot of criticism. Soon, meetings in the House of the Free Economic Society were again prohibited.

The 150th anniversary of the Free Economic Society was celebrated in November 1915 in Moscow, at the Moscow Society of Agriculture. Summing up the results of the Society’s activities that year, the President of the VEO MM. Kovalevsky wrote: “There is no Russian newspaper that would not respond in one way or another to the 150th anniversary. And to the credit of our press, it must be said that almost all parties, without distinction, were able to appreciate everything he did not only in the sphere of our agricultural life, not only in the field of public education and national food, the development of handicraft industry, raising the issue of cooperatives, but also in preparing peasant emancipation and allocating land to peasants"

After the February Revolution, A.F. was elected president of the VEO. Kerensky.

In 1918, members of the Free Economic Society took over the organization of the funeral G.V. Plekhanov. At noon on June 9, 1918, the coffin with the body of the father of Russian Marxism was taken out of the VEO House and the funeral procession (up to 10,000 people) headed to the Volkovo cemetery. Under the threat of reprisals from the Bolsheviks, the activities of the Free Economic Society were finally curtailed.

Restoration of activity

The revival of the Society began in the 1980s, when the need for reforms was already acutely felt in the Soviet Union. The idea to recreate the public professional union of economists was proposed by leading Soviet scientists - academicians of the USSR Academy of Sciences A.G. Aganbegyan And T.S. Khachaturov, Professor, Faculty of Economics, Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov G.H. Popov, economists A.D. Sheremet, O. Kozlova, V.N. Kirichenko, V.N. Cherkovets et al.

In December 1981, their proposal was supported by the CPSU Central Committee. The organizing bureau of 25 people was headed by T.S. Khachaturov, a recognized authority in the field of capital investments and economics, editor-in-chief of the journal “Problems of Economics”. For ideological reasons, the word “free” could not be used in the name and it was decided to call the organization the Scientific and Economic Society (SES).

The founding congress of the NEO took place on December 9, 1982 in the assembly hall of Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov. About 500 delegates from Moscow, Leningrad, Novosibirsk, and republican centers took part in it. The Scientific and Economic Society became the largest trade union of the USSR, uniting leading economists, economic managers, and senior officials of central economic departments (Goskomtrud, Gosplan, Gossnab, State Committee for Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance, etc.). The organization included proactive, authoritative people who enjoy great administrative influence. T.S. was elected chairman of the NEO. Khachaturov.

The most important activity of the NEO was the promotion of economic knowledge. Every year, up to 1,500 events were held through the Scientific and Economic Society. In the mid-1980s, even before the start of perestroika, the NEO discussed the elimination of equalization and the transition to a guaranteed minimum wage from the state plus a basic salary depending on the employee himself. Schemes for introducing self-financing at Soviet enterprises were developed.

The first major event of the revived Society was the all-Union seminar “Problems of regional equalization of living standards and development of non-production sectors” (in Riga), where, practically for the first time in the USSR, the very painful problem of growing inequality between the regions of the country, primarily between the Union republics, was openly addressed . “This inequality between the republics was already beginning to become a potential threat, which later became a problem in determining the fate of the Soviet Union,” recalls G.Kh. Popov. – Of course, it was impossible to even talk about this directly, hence the wording of the reports “on equalizing the standard of living through the development of the industrial non-production sphere,” but they were talking specifically about republican inequality. If then we had somehow reacted and taken appropriate measures to equalize the standard of living in the Union, or allowed local authorities (giving them more power and financial freedom) to regulate the situation with providing the population with manufactured goods, social infrastructure, food, then we would not we would have had the disasters of the 1990s."

A landmark for NEO was the All-Union Conference “Problems of Scientific Organization of Economic Management,” which the NEO Central Board, together with the Committee on Management Problems of the All-Union Scientific and Technical Society and the Economics Department of the USSR Academy of Sciences, held in November 1986 in Moscow, in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions. Over a thousand delegates from all over the country took part in it. NEO sections prepared and published in advance a separate collection of seven key reports on the stated topic: “ Theoretical basis restructuring of the economic mechanism" ( L.I. Abalkin), “Development of centralized economic management” ( N.Ya. Petrakov And E.G. Yasin), “Implementation of the principle of distribution according to work” ( S.S. Shatalin and G.A. Yeghiazaryan), “Development organizational structures management" (B.Z. Milner and V.S. Rapoport), "Development of territorial management" (L.A. Kozlov and A.S. Emelyanov), "Development of a system for working with management personnel, improving the style and methods of work of the management apparatus (G.Kh. Popov and E.K. Smirnitsky), “Democratization of economic management” (R.A. Belousov, N.N. Gritsenko, S.I. Shkurko). Abridged versions of the articles were also published in the weekly journal of the CPSU Central Committee, Economic Newspaper. The results of the discussion demonstrated the lack of a unified interpretation of perestroika and its goals both in the scientific community and among the party and state leadership. Democratization of management and expansion of the independence of enterprises was perceived either as the introduction of market self-regulation into the command-administrative system as a prerequisite for decentralization and democratization of management, or as a modernization of the system without a radical strengthening of the market principle.

In 1987, the NEO was transformed into the All-Union Economic Society (VEO), and its chairman was elected V.S. Pavlov. Since 1988, the most important direction in the activities of VEO has been building contacts with the foreign economic community. A series of seminars on the topics of economic restructuring, investing in the USSR, etc. were organized in Brussels, Paris, and Madrid. For Western participants, this was an opportunity to get to know the protagonists of Soviet perestroika. The level of participants on both sides was quite high. From the USSR - Chairman of the Society, Minister of Finance V.S. Pavlov, Minister of Labor IN AND. Shcherbakov, Mayor of Moscow G.Kh. Popov, academicians L.I. Abalkin, A.G. Agenbegyan, S.S. Shatalin. From the Western side, the seminars were attended by members of the European Parliament and high-ranking officials of the European Commission, ministers, bankers, and heads of large companies.

In 1989, many prominent figures of the All-Union Economic Society participated in the work of the State Commission on Economic Reform, headed by member of the Central Board of the VEO, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences L.I. Abalkin.

The organization regained its historical name - Free Economic Society of Russia - in 1992.

250th anniversary of VEO of Russia

On October 31, 2015, the Free Economic Society celebrated its 250th anniversary. In honor of this significant event, the anniversary congress of the VEO of Russia was held in Moscow, in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions. President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to the delegates and guests of the congress, which, in particular, emphasized: “Founded back in 1765, the Imperial Free Economic Society united under its auspices prominent scientists, statesmen, politicians, writers, entrepreneurs - educated, passionate people who sincerely care about the fate of the Fatherland. During its existence, VEO has made a significant contribution to the development of economic thought in our country, and has done a lot for broad public education, organizing research expeditions, and open discussions on the most important issues on the national agenda. It is important that today the Free Economic Society of Russia maintains the connection with times and traditions, and carefully treats the rich scientific, ideological, and intellectual heritage of its predecessors. Actively participates in the life of the country.”

About a thousand delegates and honored guests took part in the congress. As part of the scientific discussion, participants discussed issues of updating historical and scientific heritage Free Economic Society of Russia in relation to the tasks of developing an effective model of the country's socio-economic development.

Economist Day

The professional holiday "Economist's Day" was established by the Government of Russia and is celebrated on November 11 - the day of the founding of the Free Economic Society of Russia (October 31 - old style).

Every year, starting from 2016, on November 11, the Free Economic Society of Russia, together with the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, holds the All-Russian Economic Meeting, the task of which is to consolidate the Russian economic community for a comprehensive discussion and solution of current economic problems of the state.

Emblem and coat of arms of the VEO of Russia

Catherine II allowed the organization to use its own motto in business correspondence - “bees bringing honey to the hive, with the inscription: Useful.” Over two and a half centuries, this image has undergone a number of changes, but has survived to this day and still serves as the emblem of the VEO of Russia.

Building

From 1765 to 1772, weekly meetings of the Free Economic Society were held mainly in the property owned by G.G. Orlov Shtengelman's house on Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg, where the economic library was also kept. In 1775, the construction of the house of the Free Economic Society (architect J.-B. Vallin-Delamot) was completed at 2 Nevsky Prospekt. The Society worked there until 1844, then, at the request of Nicholas I, the building was purchased in favor of the military department and after reconstruction 1844-1845. became part of the ensemble of General Staff buildings.

Palace Square, 1830s. Artist Sadovnikov V.S. Watercolor. State Hermitage Museum. Far right - House of the Free Economic Society, Nevsky Prospekt, 2.

From 1844 to 1918, VEO was located in Galchonkova’s house on the corner of Obukhovsky Prospekt and the 4th company of the Izmailovsky Regiment. The current address is Moskovsky Prospekt, 33. Now the building belongs to the St. Petersburg state university culture and arts. In the outbuilding (Moskovsky Prospekt, 33, building 1), where from 1872 to 1918. housed the VEO Soil Museum and a chemical laboratory; now the G.V. House is located. Plekhanov (branch of the Russian national library them. M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin).

The recent history of VEO in Russia is connected with the House of Economists in Moscow (Tverskaya St., 22a). The reconstruction of the building was completed to celebrate the anniversary (235 years) of the Free Economic Society in 2000. The Fireplace Hall of the House of Economists on Tverskaya traditionally hosts meetings of members of the active VEO of Russia, Abalka readings and various specialized events. In 2015, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the VEO of Russia, a meeting was held here between leaders of the Free Economic Society of Russia and the head of the Russian Imperial House of Romanov, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna.

Structure of VEO of Russia

The VEO of Russia today includes 65 regional and interregional organizations, numbering over 300 thousand people in their ranks.

The activities of the Free Economic Society of Russia are managed by the Congress, the Board, the Presidium and the President.

Supreme governing body The VEO of Russia is a Congress convened once every 5 years. In the period between Congresses, the activities of the Society are managed by the Board, which is a permanent collegial management unit, organizes the implementation of decisions of the congresses of the VEO of Russia, elects the President, on the recommendation of the President - the first vice-presidents and vice-presidents of the VEO of Russia, and also determines the quantitative composition and elects presentation of the President by members of the Presidium of the VEO of Russia.

Presidents and prominent figures of the VEO of Russia

In 1765, the charter of the Free Economic Society prescribed that a president should be elected every 4 months; five years later, re-running for this post was introduced, later date presidency was extended.

Senator and Secretary of State of Catherine II A.V. was elected the first president of the Free Economic Society. Olsufiev. After him, the presidency passed to the empress’s favorite, Count G.G. Orlov, who in the early years took an active part in the activities of VEO.

Over the years, the presidents of the imperial VEO were F.E. Anhalt, P.A. Gayden, A.S. Greig, K.D. Kavelin, E.P. Kovalevsky, M.M. Kovalevsky, N.S. Mordvinov, A.A. Nartov, P.G. Oldenburgsky, Grand Duke N.N. Romanov Sr., A.S. Stroganov, I.I. Taubert and others. Many prominent figures of national science and culture took part in the activities of the Free Economic Society.

The recent history of VEO in Russia is associated with the names of such outstanding scientists and public figures modern Russia, like L.I. Abalkin, A.G. Aganbegyan, S.D. Bodrunov, S.Yu. Glazyev, R.S. Grinberg, N.N. Gritsenko, V.I. Grishin, M.G. Delyagin, Ya.N. Dubenetsky, A.A. Dynkin, M.V. Ershov, V.V. Ivanter, S.V. Kalashnikov, S.P. Kapitsa, A.N. Klepach, A.L. Kudrin, A.V. Murychev, A.D. Nekipelov, V.S. Pavlov, G.Kh. Popov, N.Ya. Petrakov, B.N. Porfiryev, E.M. Primakov, Yu.V. Roslyak, S.N. Ryabukhin, D.E. Sorokin, S.V. Stepashin, E.S. Stroev, G.A. Tosunyan, G.N. Tsagolov, M.V. Shmakov, N.P. Shmelev, V.I. Shcherbakov, A.N. Shokhin, V.S. Chernomyrdin, M.A. Eskindarov, Yu.V. Yakutin, E.G. Yasin and others.

Scientific, economic and social activities of VEO of Russia

VEO of Russia actively cooperates with government agencies at all levels, evaluates various projects and programs, acts as an expert on a number of topical issues, advises representatives of federal, regional and local authorities on issues of current economic policy, and participates in international forums and conferences.

The main activities of VEO of Russia:

• Program “All-Russian forums, conferences, congresses, exhibitions.”
• Program “All-Russian Economic Projects”: the annual All-Russian Economic Meeting dedicated to the professional holiday “Economist’s Day”; All-Russian Higher Public Economic Award “Economist of the Year”; All-Russian economic dictation and other projects.
• Program “Economic Growth of Russia”: permanent Abalka Readings.
• Program "Educational and Publishing Activities":

- “Scientific works of the Free Economic Society of Russia” (208 volumes published by 2018), which are included in the “List of leading scientific journals and publications”;

Magazine "Free Economy";

Almanac “Conversations about Economics”;,

Digital Library of VEO of Russia (located on the website www.veorus.ru);

Public lecture hall;

Coordination Club of VEO of Russia;

Media project “Council of Experts” of the VEO of Russia and the “Rossiyskaya Gazeta”;

Public Library of VEO of Russia; - Media project House “E” on Public Television of Russia (OTR).

• Program “International activities and development of cooperation”.

International Committee of the VEO of Russia (chaired by the vice-president of the VEO of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.A. Dynkin).

• Program “Independent assessment of the quality of economic education”.
• Development program creative potential youth": All-Russian competition of scientific works of youth "Economic growth of Russia", Festival economic science and etc.
• Program "Russian competitions"

VEO of Russia today

• 65 regional organizations;
• 300,000 members: practicing economists, scientists and experts, representatives state power, business community, public figures;
• Over the 30 years of the recent history of VEO, 11,000,000 copies of information, analytical, scientific and educational publications have been published, which are distributed free of charge;
• VEO of Russia and its regional organizations annually hold more than 900 various events aimed at promoting the economic and social progress of the country;
• More than 3,000 people from all regions of the country take part in youth projects of VEO Russia annually.

Events

At events in the Free Economic Society of Russia, you can traditionally meet supporters of different political views and adherents of different concepts of the country’s economic development. VEO essentially managed to overcome the split in society that occurred during perestroika; today it is a platform where every specialist from any ideological camp can express their point of view and calmly discuss it with colleagues.

According to the charter, once every five years, on its next anniversary, the Free Economic Society holds an all-Russian congress, which brings together representatives of all regional organizations, foreign partners of VEO on international projects, the elite of Russian science, prominent government and public figures.

This event is traditionally supported by the country's top officials. On the eve of the congress in 1995, Russian President Boris Yeltsin issued a decree recommending celebrating the anniversary at the state level, and the Russian government adopted a resolution instructing all federal executive authorities to provide assistance to the Free Economic Society. In 2015, celebrations dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the VEO of Russia were held with the support of President V.V. Putin.

As part of the All-Russian Forums, Conferences, Congresses, Exhibitions program, the VEO of Russia and its regional organizations annually hold more than 900 events aimed at promoting the economic and social progress of the country.

Since 1994, the round table “Economic Growth of Russia” has been constantly running as part of a separate program. The leader of this project until 2011 was the Chairman of the Scientific and Practical Council of the VEO of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences L.I. Abalkin. In memory of him, in 2011, the Presidium of the VEO of Russia decided to rename the round table the Abalka Readings. Currently, the project “Economic Growth of Russia” is led by the Chairman of the Scientific Council of the VEO of Russia, Vice-President of the VEO of Russia, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences D.E. Sorokin.

One of the most important programs of the VEO of Russia is “Development of the Creative Potential of Youth,” within the framework of which, since 1996, the All-Russian competition of scientific works of youth “Economic Growth of Russia” has been held. More than 3,000 people from all regions of the Russian Federation take part in the competition every year - schoolchildren, students, young scientists and entrepreneurs under the age of 33. The organizing committee of the competition is headed by the President of the VEO of Russia, Director of the Institute of New Industrial Development named after. S.Yu. Witte S.D. Bodrunov. The chairman of the competition jury is Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation S.Yu. Glazyev. The Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation has been a partner of the project for many years. High school students whose works take first place in the competition are admitted to this educational institution without entrance examinations. Students who receive first prize are given an excellent grade in economic disciplines for entrance examination to graduate school at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The scientific research works of the winners and laureates of the competition are published in a special edition of “Scientific Works of the VEO of Russia”.

The Russian “Manager of the Year” competition is an important, socially significant event. The competition was first held in 1987. More than 2 thousand people from different regions of Russia take part in the competition every year. This prestigious competition identifies the leaders and best representatives of the management corps and gives a huge impetus to the professional and creative growth of managers in the interests of the development of the Russian economy.

Since 2007, VEO of Russia with the support State Duma The Federation Council of the Russian Federation annually organizes the All-Russian competition “Economics and Management”. The competition is designed to identify the best economic departments and educational programs, effective experience in implementing innovations in the field of training specialists that meet international standards and are in demand in modern market labor.

In 2016, VEO of Russia established the All-Russian Highest Public Economic Award “Economist of the Year”. Along with the prestigious professional awards of Russia: “Lawyer of the Year” and “Teacher of the Year,” “Economist of the Year” is a sign of the highest expert assessment, special gratitude and recognition of the professional services of Russian economists to society and the state.

The all-Russian educational event “All-Russian Economic Dictation” was first held on October 12, 2017 at 638 sites in 80 regions of the Russian Federation, attracting more than 59 thousand participants. The organizer of the dictation is the Free Economic Society of Russia with the assistance of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation and other leading universities of Russia, administrations of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the dictation is to determine and increase the level of economic literacy of the population, develop the intellectual potential of young people and assess the economic activity and economic literacy of the population of various constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Since 2017, the All-Russian Economic Dictation VEO of Russia has been held annually.

VEO Russia Awards

The Free Economic Society of Russia is the first public organization in the country whose awards are registered by the Heraldic Council under the President of the Russian Federation and put on the federal heraldic register. ,

The highest award is the Great Gold Medal of the VEO of Russia (certificate of federal heraldic registration No. 078 dated October 14, 2005, registration number - 158). Awarded once every five years at the anniversary congress of the Free Economic Society for outstanding personal contribution to the development of domestic and world economic thought, the economic potential of Russia, its foreign economic relations, as well as for special services to the Free Economic Society of Russia, which contributed to increasing the authority of Russian economic science and activity Societies in the Russian Federation and abroad. The first presentation took place on October 31, 2005. In 2015, V.V. became recipients of the Great Gold Medal of the VEO of Russia. Putin, N.A. Nazarbayev and E.M. Primakov, M.M. Zagorulko.

Silver medal of the VEO of Russia (certificate of federal heraldic registration No. 079 dated October 14, 2005, registration number - 160) - awarded for a significant contribution to the development of economic science, many years of fruitful activity in strengthening the economic potential of Russia and its regions. Individuals and legal entities are awarded. Among the recipients of the Silver Medal are outstanding scientists, government and public figures, and representatives of the business community.

The commemorative anniversary medal “250 years of VEO of Russia” was established for the 250th anniversary of the Free Economic Society. The Jubilee Medal is awarded to individuals and legal entities for their special contribution to the activities of the Free Economic Society of Russia, for active socially significant activities, and for the development of civil society institutions in the country.

The awards of the VEO of Russia are recreated on the model of the medals of the imperial Free Economic Society. The first VEO gold medal was awarded to Empress Catherine II and is kept in the Hermitage collection.

Publishing activities

The implementation of the program “Educational and Publishing Activities” allows VEO of Russia to be considered one of the most active popularizers of scientific and economic knowledge. Over the 30 years of the modern history of VEO of Russia, 11,000,000 copies of information, analytical, scientific and educational publications have been published. Distribution of magazines, newspapers, and bulletins published at the expense of VEO funds is carried out only on a free basis, in accordance with the principle of enlightenment.

“Scientific Proceedings of the VEO of Russia” is the main printed organ of the Free Economic Society of Russia. This is the oldest periodical publication in our country.

The decision to publish collections of scientific and practical articles on economics under the title “Proceedings of the Free Economic Society” was made by the founders of the VEO on December 7, 1765. Between 1765 and 1914, 280 volumes of “Proceedings of the VEO” were published, some of which included up to four individual books. At its core, this is a chronicle of the domestic economy, with the help of which today you can step by step track the development of many of its industries, learn about how our ancestors lived and what they did, how the country’s economy and the interests of its citizens changed.

In 1994, the publication of Scientific Works of the Free Economic Society was resumed. By the beginning of 2018, more than 200 volumes of this publication had been published. Since 2003, by decision of the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, “Scientific Proceedings of the Free Economic Society of Russia” have been included in the “List of leading scientific journals and publications” published in the Russian Federation, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for an academic degree should be published Doctor and Candidate of Sciences.

During the Soviet era, in 1986, the Scientific and Economic Society launched a newsletter that covered the most important events in its activities. Despite the fact that it did not contain any secret information, the bulletin was issued under the heading “For official use.”

In 1995, the Free Economic Society began publishing the newspaper “Byloe”, which tells about the economic history of Russia. Its editor was S.S. Khizhnyakov, grandson of the last executive secretary of the imperial VEO.

Since 1996, together with the Ekonomicheskaya Gazeta Publishing House, VEO of Russia has been publishing the book series “Russian Classical Library. Economics and Spirituality" (more than 20 books), which presents the Russian school of socio-economic thought, including the presidents of the Free Economic Society of Russia.

From 2001 to 2015, VEO of Russia published the “Econom” newsletter. In 2016, VEO of Russia’s own information and analytical magazine “Free Economy” began publishing (media registration certificate PI No. FS 77-71537).

In 2017, the first volume of the popular science almanac of the “Conversations on Economics” series was published, which contains the most interesting and relevant discussions that took place in the VEO of Russia.

VEO of Russia has an impressive library collection. The digitized archive of the works of the Imperial VEO and the Scientific Works of the VEO of Russia is presented in free access on the organization’s website.

Literature

1. Beketov A.N. Historical outline of the twenty-five-year activity of the imperial Free Economic Society from 1865 to 1890. St. Petersburg, 1890.
2. Meeting of the First Branch of the Imperial Free Economic Society regarding the consideration of the report of V.V. Dokuchaev on measures to improve the extremely low soil science in Russia. St. Petersburg, 1880.
3. On the history of the Imperial Free Economic Society (copies of documents 1894–1906). St. Petersburg, 1906;
4. Kovalevsky M.M. To the 150th anniversary of the Imperial Free Economic Society // Bulletin of Europe. 1915. No. 12;
5. A brief outline of the activities of the Imperial Free Economic Society for smallpox vaccination / Compiled by. doctor E.E. Horn. - St. Petersburg: type. V. Demakova, 1896.
6. Kulyabko-Koretsky N.G. A brief historical outline of the activities of I.V.E. Society since its foundation - St. Petersburg, 1897.
7. Easy N.B. Free Economic Society of Russia: the path of creation. – M., 2016.
8. Lomonosov M.V. Full composition of writings. Volume 6. Works on Russian history, socio-economic issues and geography. 1747 - 1765 - M., L., 1952.
9. Mendeleev D.I. On the organization of agricultural experiments. Proceedings of VEO. St. Petersburg, 1866, issue 3
10. Oreshkin V.V. Free Economic Society in Russia. 1765-1917. Historical and economic essay - M., ed. USSR Academy of Sciences, 1963.
11. Special opinion of Admiral Mordvinov. Moscow, Publishing House "Economic Newspaper". 2008. P.81
12. Gift album “Free Economic Society of Russia: 250 years in the service of the Fatherland” - M.: VEO of Russia, 2015.
13. Portrait gallery: presidents of the Free Economic Society. M.-SPb., 2005.
14. Protopopov D.D. History of the St. Petersburg Literacy Committee. St. Petersburg, 1898.
15. Proceedings of the Imperial Free Economic Society of Russia. 1765-1914
16. Proceedings of the expedition equipped by the Imperial Free Economic and Russian Geographical Societies to study grain trade and productivity in Russia. - St. Petersburg, 1869-72

    In 1765, by Decree of Her Imperial Majesty Catherine II, the oldest public organization - the Free Economic Society - was formed. It was independent from the Government, which is why it was called Free. The special position and rights of the organization were confirmed by each successor of Catherine II upon his accession to the throne. And even more than that, quite often the Free Economic Society received impressive sums from the treasury to implement its ideas.

    The goal of the Free Economic Society

    At the origin of the formation of the organization was a whole group of courtiers, representing the interests of liberal-minded nobles and scientists, headed by M. V. Lomonosov. At that time, these people put forward very revolutionary ideas:

    1. Development of monetary management.
    2. Growth of industrial production.
    3. Abolition of serfdom.

    The truth that ruled then did not support them. And only Catherine II allowed the project to begin and encouraged it in every possible way. The Free Economic declared the primacy of the interests of the state, which should develop based on effective economic activity.

    Beginning of work

    And so, back in 1765, the Establishment of the Free Economic Society was finally adopted, which contributed to solving the problems of “increasing the people's well-being in the state by bringing the economy to a better state.” The first step was to hold a competition among 160 specialists representing various states. The main topic was the distribution of rights to land owners to bring maximum benefit to their country.

    

    IVEO's main services to the Empire

    The creation of the Free Economic Society was of great importance for the state. Among the organization’s services to both the reigning dynasty and the people of the country, the following should be noted:

    1. Initiation of the abolition of serfdom.
    2. Universal primary education.
    3. Start of work of statistical committees.
    4. Construction of the first cheese factories.
    5. Distribution and popularization of new species and varieties of various cultivated plants (in particular, potatoes and others).

    

    Publishing and educational activities

    Members of the organization tried to convey their works on intensifying agricultural production, increasing the industrial power of the state and many other topics to the widest possible masses of the population. The Free Economic Society of Russia published both monographs and periodicals. The organization's library consisted of almost two hundred thousand monographs, and the collection of zemstvo publications included more than forty thousand copies of brochures and books. At different times, such major thinkers of the Russian Empire as A. M. Butlerov, G. R. Derzhavin, D. I. Mendeleev, N. V. Vereshchagin, P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, V. V. Dokuchaev appeared , A. and L. Euler, A. S. Stroganov, V. G. Korolenko, L. N. Tolstoy, A. A. Nartov, A. N. Senyavin and many others.

    Contribution to the country's defense

    The First World War forced the mobilization of everything that the Russian Empire had. The Free Economic Society did not stand aside either. Within its structure in Moscow, a special unit was created for the needs of the troops - Voentorg. His tasks included providing officers who were directly involved in hostilities with various goods at reduced prices.

    Collapse and rebirth

    The activities of IEVO structures were greatly undermined by the World War and subsequent revolutions. And after the events of 1917, the organization of Russian economists ceased to exist. Work resumed only after many years. In the seventies of the last century, the restoration of the public association of leading economists began. At this time, the need arose again to improve the economic activities of the state. It was then that economists organized their own organization - NEO. The newly formed Community carried out work throughout the country. Already in the late eighties, a transformation of the NEO took place. It became known as the All-Union Economic Community.

    

    Modern activities of VEO

    In the early nineties, a significant event occurred. The Organization of Economists of Russia has again regained its former historical name. Now it became known as the Free Economic Society of Russia. Professor Popov made a great contribution to the restoration of the organization’s work. Today VEO operates in every region of Russia. This organization employs thousands of scientists and various specialists. VEO strives to use historical experience to play a fundamental role in understanding the problems facing the country's national economy. The organization pursues the goals of boosting Russian entrepreneurship. This large army of academic economists and administrative workers must find a new approach to solving pressing economic problems of the country's development.

    Research

    The organization is engaged in large scientific programs. The most famous of them:

    
    

    Modern Editions of VEO

    In Russia, the organization again began publishing Scientific Works. During the first three years of activity, 4 volumes were published, which are devoted to the most pressing problems of the domestic economy. Scientific Works publishes articles from Russia. VEO also released:

    1. Analytical and information publications.
    2. "Economic Bulletin of Russia".
    3. Monthly "The Past: History and Experience of Management".

    Revival of shows

    With the help of the active work of the VEO, the tradition of holding various national competitions was restored. The Moscow government and VEO held shows in the late 90s, in which young scientists and many students took part. Two topics were considered: “Russia and the beginning of the 21st century”, as well as “Moscow - the basis of the country’s economic development”. Being part of the International Union, which unites workers in the economic sector, VEO carries out work to improve the country’s integration ties in the existing system.

    VEO developments

    Among the numerous works, a few stand out:

    1. Employment, unemployment problems.
    2. Investments, finance and the possibility of cash investments.
    3. Further improvement of the banking system.
    4. Caspian Sea: problems, choice of directions and priority solutions.
    5. Ecological problems.
    6. Increased economic growth.

    All proposed work of the VEO is supported and approved by the President and Government of the Russian Federation.