Regional economic complexes as the principal forms of planned solution of spatial problems of organization of the socialist economy

Abstract

National-economic complexes are considered as features of long term planning in the USSR and their role as the basis for the development of the economy of the country is discussed. Basic principles of the optimal spatial organization of the economy of the complexes are set forth, based on the systems theory, and principles of elaborating economic-mathematical models of complexes. These principles are as follows:

1. (1) The spatial organization of the economy of complexes is considered with the given volumes of output. Optimization should precede the spatial optimization of the proportions of the national economy.

2. (2) A systems-structural approach is used regarding the complex as a system. The elements of the system (regional economic complex) are the enterprise, construction, and the orrice. The systems approach manifests itself in the analysis of relations between enterprises, in the consideration of the multilevel structures of the economy of the complex, and in regarding its external ties as entries and outlets to the system.

3. (3) The optimization of the economy of complexes is achieved in parts, subdividing them into heirarchically-constructed subsystems, the power industrial cycles of N.N. Kolosovsky.

4. (4) The type of enterprise is taken into account mainly in accordance with the combination of the production processes, the resources they require (including labour), and industrial capacities, corresponding to the level of scientific and technological progress.

5. (5) Corridors of communication, not separate lines are modelled.

In all of the problems proposed the minimum costs is accepted as the optimum criterion, including operational expenditures and capital investments for industrial and tertiary activities.