Ivan Pososhkov (1652-1726) is credited with writing Russia’s first systematic economic
treatise. A study on Pososhkov’s economic and social ideas is interesting for no fewer than three
reasons.
First, it would introduce the elements of diversity, originality and distinctiveness which non-
Western European writers bring into the evolution of economic thought, inasmuch as economic and
social thought is a reflection of peculiarities in economic development and inasmuch it is the fruit of
the development of economic ideas.
Second, a contextual analysis would be of help not only in enriching economic thought and its methodology, but could also contribute to economic theory itself, if only in offering points of departure for new analyses.
Third, Ivan Pososhkov, merely because he wrote in periods of transition and complex transformation (the Petrine reforms in Russia) offer valuable practical ideas for today post communist transformation.
