Futures Studies And Economic Development: An Interdisciplinary Approach

This article addresses specific issues regarding the validation of futures studies as a specific scientific discourse and academic discipline. Future dtudies are considered by the author in the context of the interdisciplinaritytheory and are understood as an interdisciplinary field of knowledge. The paper provides a brief overview of the theoretical achievements of individual scientists which aim to institutionalize futures studies as scientific field of knowledge. Particular attention is paid to the role of economics, political science, sociology and cultural studies in the formation and development of this scientific discourse. For each of these four areas of scientific knowledge, there are numerous issues that are important in the long term and are the subject of futurists' activities. Economic factors can thus include unemployment, economic growth, financial development, national accounts, transaction costs and building of an innovative economy. Political and governance factors include integration and localization issues, rule of law and law creation, smart and steady growth, political institutions and governance indicators. Social factors include the concepts of social state and social polarization, shared society, inter-generational difference and social justice. Cultural factors include ethics and spiritual needs, morality, the need for specific knowledge, problems of national culture and cultural traditions. All these factors may occupy a very specific place in the work of futurologists, but this does not limit the problems of futures studies. Depending on the research goals, more general or specific research subjects may be distinguished. An interdisciplinary approach is seen as a tool that significantly improves the quality of futures studies.