Abstract:

The purpose of the article is to identify the fundamental characteristics of goal–setting in social and economic systems consisting of different functional and institutional subsystems. Discussion. The authors put forward a hypothesis about the impossibility and inexpediency of the formation of a clear system of strategic goals of social and economic systems. The analysis of the theory and practice of formation of strategies of social and economic systems, carried out mainly in relation to the systems of regional and municipal levels, showed that the formation of the tree (pyramid) of goals is largely related to the views of experts on their subordination and compliance. The formation of a pyramid of goals is inevitable due to unawareness of the mission and, consequently, the uncertain position of the system in the future. This circumstance might bring about even more uncertainty in the future. In practice, the formulation of goals at various levels, beginning with the general objective and finishing with the functional goals of various subsystems, does not have a strong casual effect. There can be different hierarchical goals at one level. And vice versa, at different levels there can be goals having the same characteristics but belonging to different functional subsystems. Summary. The analysis suggests that ambiguity, polyvariety and insubordination characterize goal-setting in social and economic systems.