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Stepan SitaryanAcademician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the International Academy of Management
Date of Birth: 27.09.1930
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Stepan Sitaryan: A Life Dedicated to Economics
- Academic Career
- Professional Career at the Ministry of Finance
- Economic Reform and the State Planning Committee
- Crisis in Poland and Support for Gorbachev
- Development of Market Mechanisms and the Collapse of the USSR
- Post-Soviet Years
Stepan Sitaryan: A Life Dedicated to Economics
Early Life and EducationStepan Aram Sitaryan was born on September 27, 1930, in Manes, Armenia. His father, Aram Karpovich Sitaryan, was a chief accountant, while his mother, Maria Martynovna Sitaryan, was a kindergarten teacher and later a director. Sitaryan attended a Russian school, emphasizing his deep interest in both Russian language and culture.
In 1940, his father was arrested and declared an "enemy of the people," profoundly impacting the family's life. Despite the challenges, Sitaryan excelled in his studies and graduated from high school with a silver medal in 1953.
Academic Career
Sitaryan's academic journey began at Moscow State University (MSU), where he initially pursued mechanics and mathematics. However, he later switched to economics, completing his undergraduate degree with honors in 1953. Despite being recommended for graduate school, his application was initially rejected due to his father's political status.
Fortuitously, his thesis topic on production and consumption during socialism resonated with the prevailing economic discourse at the time. With the support of his thesis opponent, Sitaryan was accepted into the postgraduate program in 1953.
Professional Career at the Ministry of Finance
Upon completing his postgraduate studies, Sitaryan joined the Scientific Research Financial Institute (NIFI) of the Ministry of Finance of the USSR. As a senior economist and later a senior research fellow, he focused on distributive relations and production efficiency.
Sitaryan gained recognition within the Ministry of Finance, particularly for his expertise in national income estimates. He played a pivotal role in developing models outlining the relationship between the Union and republics regarding income formation and distribution.
Economic Reform and the State Planning Committee
Sitaryan's experience and knowledge brought him to the forefront of the economic reform initiated by Alexei Kosygin in the mid-1960s. As a representative of the Ministry of Finance, Sitaryan actively participated in shaping the reform proposals.
In 1974, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance, overseeing various sectors, including industry, construction, and accounting. He also continued his involvement in the economic reform process.
In 1983, Sitaryan joined the State Planning Committee (Gosplan) as its First Deputy Chairman, becoming the only economist among 15 deputy chairmen. He focused on financial and social issues and the improvement of economic mechanisms.
Crisis in Poland and Support for Gorbachev
In the early 1980s, Sitaryan played a crucial role in the "Sitaryan's Desant" mission to Poland. The team of Soviet economists analyzed the situation in Poland and provided recommendations to the Polish leadership on economic and political reforms.
Following Mikhail Gorbachev's rise to power in 1985, Sitaryan declined Gorbachev's offer to become his assistant. However, he remained influential, providing support for the "perestroika" reforms.
Development of Market Mechanisms and the Collapse of the USSR
As First Deputy Chairman of the Interdepartmental Commission for Improving the Economic Mechanism, Sitaryan spearheaded the development of market mechanisms in the Soviet Union. He played a key role in drafting the law on cooperation and the first program for small enterprise development.
In 1989, Sitaryan became Chairman of the External Economic Commission of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. However, with the dissolution of the USSR, he returned to academia.
Post-Soviet Years
As an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sitaryan established the Institute of Foreign Economic Research in 1998 (later renamed the Center for Foreign Economic Research). In 1996, he co-founded the International Academy of Management, serving as its president.
The International Academy of Management has become a renowned platform for fostering international cooperation among business leaders, scholars, and economists. Sitaryan continues to lead the academy, contributing to the development of management theory and practice.
