Vyacheslav Shuper

This article is dedicated to the work of August Ldsch (1906—1945), whose theory of economic landscape is still the cornerstone for those branches of economics and geography which study the problems of (spatial) distribution. Apart from having made an indispensable contribution to the conceptualization of these problems, Lbsch is also meritorious for having anticipated certain ideas considered as key note in the late 20th-century science. In particular, his work dealt with the problems of selforganization in non-equilibrium systems, which are nowadays being intensely elaborated in the field ofsynergetics. Though tragically short, Lbsch’s life can be viewed as an example of fortitude in defending the highest standards of scientific research, as well as upholding the principles of freedom and responsibility, and intellectual resistance to the totalitarian regime.