On the formation of the national planning system in Russia
We propose to distinguish between two “ideal" types of national planning: the universal and the program planning. The first is aimed at accelerating the balanced development of industries and regions through large-scale investment projects; it requires a hierarchy of specialized planning institutions. The second uses a relatively small number of programs aimed at addressing key economic problems. These programs are worked out by the ministries and agencies, which are also engaged in the current management. In developing countries, national planning tends to be the first type, and in the developed ones, it tends to be the second. In Russia, elements of both types of systems have spontaneously arisen. From them, it is necessary to form a mixed system that would be adequate to the Russian level of development. Its contours are discussed in the paper.