Dialogue Between the Individual and the Social: A Framework for Synthesizing Socio-Economic Theories of Value Evolution

The current phase of socio-economic development, characterized by accelerated scientific and technological change, urgently raises the question of balancing three crucial components: technological, institutional, and cultural. In this context, comprehensive studies of societal processes are particularly relevant, especially focusing on their primary subject – the individual – and identifying the optimal interplay between individualistic and socially oriented aspirations that can mitigate crises arising from imbalances between technological advancement and human values. As Academician V.M. Polterovich argues, attempts to develop a generalized theory of socio-economic development based on monocausal frameworks have proven inadequate. The article explores various interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to address this challenge. It analyzes the framework developed by D. North, J. Wallis, and B. Weingast, which emphasizes the significant role of culture and values in shaping societal institutional structures. Attention is also given to V.M. Polterovich’s theory advocating a transition from a philosophy of competition to a philosophy of cooperation, which posits the reconciliation of individual interests with collective goals. The sociological research of V.S. Magun and M.G. Rudnev, which identifies a population segment embracing “growth values” that combine individualistic aspirations with social responsibility, is given significant attention. Furthermore, the article considers the theory of economic synergetics proposed by L.P. and R.N. Evstigneev, which offers a reinterpretation of traditional economic categories by incorporating anthropological, value-based, and sociocultural factors. The Evstigneevs’ concept aims to transcend the dichotomy between state and market by viewing them as components of a broader societal system comprising numerous interacting agents at different levels, united by a communicative space of development. We conclude that successful social transformations hinge on achieving a balance between technological progress and sociocultural development, which, in turn, requires the formation of new types of social bonds and communicative spaces, and the cultivation of a mediation mindset.

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