The article is devoted to the questions of the world economy post-industrial development and the prospects of Russia. The non-material values as an integral characteristic of the modern «consumer society» are described. Validity of the application of the expression «industrial appendage» of the Center countries is discussed in the article. It is shown how the shift from the state industrial development to the post-industrial goes on and what consequences come. The works of well-known native experts on the various aspects of the post-industrial development who dwelt in detail on some nuances of the modern international geographical division of labor were quoted. The authors considered possibilities of the industrial structure transformation of domestic economy in the light of transition to "the knowledge economy" and highlighted the main limiting factors of our state inclusion to the vanguard of the world economy. Examples of the successful industrial project of China and possibility of this state inclusion to the elite of the most developed countries are given as well. In conclusion ecological consequences of the modern specialization of Russia on industrial productions of extracting and manufacturing sectors are analyzed, and unfavorable conclusions are drawn.