Strukturális váltásunk társadalmi-gazdasági összetevői és ellentmondásai[The socio-economic components and contradictions of structural change in Hungary]

The study sets out from examination of the factors that necessitated formulating the economic policy concept approved at the 12th Congress of the Hungarian Socialist Workers Party: economic development has become intensive instead of extensive, a change of era is underway in the world economy, and the Hungarian economy struggles with disturbances of equilibrium. The present economic policy concept has greater coverage than that of the 1968 reform. It goes beyond methods of economic control and management to economic policy and the institutional system of control. Yet it now faces many more constraints than it did in 1968. Transforming the concept into social action makes big demands also on science, e. g. it has to disclose and help solve the conflicts necessarily developing in the course of transformation: ideology may lag behind economic policy efforts and impede necessary economic measures. Difficulties must also be faced in fitting into the export side of the world economy. Hungary can withstand world market competition only with dynamic properties, especially as its enterprises operate in a small country at a mid-level of technological development. Flexibility, high labour-force qualifications, effective innovation and adequate information are very important. It is vital to competitiveness to develop modern forms of organization, a production background susceptible to change in world market demand, a quick, efficient system of decision-making, and a political and ideological environment supportive of needful economic actions. The study advocates overall revision of the education and training system, where the prime task is to develop abilities for rational action and adaptation to changing conditions. Care must be taken that talents can freely unfold. The social sciences have a prime task of preparing systems of action that serve societys interests. Conditions for withstanding world market competition must be created by science fulfilling its informative, innovative and creative tasks to a high level.