On application of Lakatos’s concept in economic theory within context of transformation of economic education in Russia

The present paper examines the role of the methodology of Imre Lakatos’s Scientific Research Programs (SRP) in the context of reforming Russian economic education. It highlights the possibility of using this methodology in economic science is highlighted and the necessity of its use to integrate heterodox economic theory into curricula for training economists. It substantiates that the concept of SRP resolves the contradiction between the historical and logical development of a particular direction of economic science. It presents a meaningful interpretation of the structure of the SRP in economic theory. The paper highlights the decisive importance of the solid core of scientific innovation as a picture of economic reality in the development of scientific innovation. It further argues against the interpretation of the SRP methodology solely as a conceptual framework for the normative assessment of theories and shows the place of protective belt theories and heuristics in the mechanism of historical evolution of SRPs. Finally, the paper substantiates the position on the fundamental openness of scientific research projects to the analysis of changing economic reality.