The article justifies the topicality of the authors’ joint efforts in preparation of the work «The Economic History of the East». It analyses the problems connected with the author’ search of methodology, adequate to the East civilization specifics. The article reveals the focal points of the first volume contents. The increasing role of Eastern countries in the present world economy which may change the «game rules» in the economic sphere prompted the authors’ interest in the research. Successful adaptation to the new situation largely depends on the accuracy of prediction, and accuracy of prediction is conditioned by the research foundation. This prompted the need for working out a comprehensive theoretical concept of the East historical and economic development. The choice of the East as a research objective det ermi ne d the aut hors’ parti cula r m et hodology that combines institutional theory of operation and development of the economy and world-system analysis. On the basis of this synthesis the authors reveal the specifics of the Eastern civilization economy, outline the East economic developmental landmarks in the pre- industrial era and give grounds for domestic institutional factors of economic stagnation in the East during the rapid industrialization of the West.