In 1765, by decree of her imperial majesty Catherine II, the oldest public organization, the Free Economic Society, was formed. It was independent of the Government, which is why it was called Freedom. The special position and rights of the organization were confirmed by each successor of Catherine II at her accession to the throne. And even more than that, quite often the Free Economic Society received impressive amounts from the treasury for the implementation of its ideas.
Purpose of the Free Economic Society
At the source of the organization's organization was a whole group of courtiers representing the interests of liberal-minded noblemen and scientists, headed by M.V. Lomonosov. At that time, these people put forward very revolutionary ideas:
- Monetary development.
- The growth of industrial production.
- Abolition of serfdom.
True, Elizaveta Petrovna, who ruled then, did not support them. And only Catherine II allowed to begin the implementation of the project and encouraged him in every way. The Free Economic Society has openly declared the primacy of the interests of the state, which should be developed based on effective economic activity.
Beginning of work
And now in the distant 1765, finally, the Charter of the organization was adopted . The establishment of the Free Economic Society contributed to the solution of the tasks of "increasing the national prosperity in the state by bringing the economy to a better state." The first step was to hold a competition among 160 specialists from various countries. The main theme was the distribution of land ownership to the owners to maximize the benefits of their country.
The main merits of the IWEO to the Empire
The creation of the Free Economic Society was of great importance to the state. Among the merits of the organization, both before the reigning dynasty, and before the people of the country should be noted:
- Initiation of the abolition of serfdom.
- Universal primary education.
- Start of work of statistical committees.
- Bookmark the first cheese factories.
- Distribution and popularization of new species and varieties of various cultivated plants (in particular, potatoes and others).
Publishing and educational activities
The members of the organization tried to convey their work on the intensification of 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 in the collection of Zemstvo publications there were more than forty thousand copies of brochures and books. At different times, such important thinkers of the Russian Empire as I.F. Kruzenshtern, A.M. Butlerov, G.R. Derzhavin, D.I. Mendeleev, N.V. Vereshchagin, P.P. Semenov-Tyan were members of the Society. -Shansky, V.V. Dokuchaev, A. and L. Eulers, 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 to mobilize everything that was in the Russian Empire. The Free Economic Society did not stand aside. In 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 the hostilities with various goods at reduced prices.
Crash and rebirth
The activities of the IEVO structures were greatly undermined by the World War and subsequent revolutions. And after the events of 1917, the organization of economists in Russia ceased to exist. Work resumed only after many years. In the seventies of the last century, the restoration of a public association of leading economists began. At this time, the need arose to improve the economic activity 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, the transformation of 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 Russian economists has again regained its former historical name. Now it began to be called the Free Economic Society of Russia. Professor Popov made a great contribution to the restoration of the organization. Today VEO operates in every region of Russia. Thousands of scientists and various specialists work in this organization. VEO seeks to use historical experience to play a major role in understanding the problems facing the national economy. The organization aims to boost Russian entrepreneurship. This large army of scientists, economists, administrative workers must find a new approach to solving pressing economic problems of the country's development.
Research
The organization is engaged in major research programs. The most famous of them:
- "Russia and the XXI century."
- Female business development.
- Research on issues related to national and economic security.
- Programs related to the development of small business and medium-sized enterprises.
Modern Editions of VEO
In Russia, the organization again began to issue Scientific Papers. During the first three years of activity, 4 volumes were published, which are devoted to the most pressing problems of the domestic economy. In "Scientific Papers" articles of the most famous economists of Russia are printed. VEO also issued:
- Analytical and informational publications.
- "Economic Bulletin of Russia."
- Monthly "Past: History and Management Experience".
Revival of shows
Through the active work of VEO, the tradition of holding various national competitions was restored. The government of Moscow and VEO held reviews in the late 90s, in which young scientists, many students and students took part. Two topics were considered: "Russia and the beginning of the XXI century", as well as "Moscow - the basis of the country's economic development." Being part of the International Union, uniting workers in the economic sector, VEO is working to improve the country's integration ties in the current system.
VEO development
Among the numerous works, several can be especially distinguished:
- Employment, unemployment problems.
- Investments, finances and the possibility of cash investments.
- Further improvement of the banking system.
- Caspian Sea: problems, choice of directions and priority solutions.
- Ecological problems.
- Increase economic growth.
All proposed works of VEO are supported and approved by the President and the Government of the Russian Federation.