Keyword: «economic relations»

Economic relations represent a multifactorial phenomenon. To examine this question allows us to consider the processes between the economic subjects in the course of their interaction. Understanding of the nature and structure of economic relations makes it possible to effectively apply those or other mechanisms pur-sued socio-economic policy in the country more effectively in the new economic reality.

The rapid development of productive forces and industrial relations has laid the foundation to become a relatively new type of economy in the 21th century, dubbed the «digital economy». However, the formation of the digital economy would not have been possible without an appropriate ideological reflection of the changes taking place with humanity on a planetary scale. While all previous scientific and technological shifts were mostly spontaneous, the digital revolution became the product of conscious planning. In many ways, it was the merit of futurology. The article examines the key stages of futurology development in the 20th century, taking into account their role in the progress of economic relations. The author distinguishes three stages. The first of them is connected with the birth of futurology and general philosophical understanding of the problems of human development in the 20th century. The second stage includes the latest achievements of mathematics and cybernetics in the futurology methodology. There is a quality leap in the use of economic and mathematical modeling. The third stage is connected with the prerequisites for the development of the digital economy and continues until now.