The development of economic science before 1989 has been analysed. The spectrum of research works between 1948 and 1989 has been outlined, including the influence of Western theories. The change of paradigms after 1990 has been underlined; as well as new institutional structures; overcoming the international isolation of the Bulgarian economic thought. The main thematic and theoretic and methodological issues of the economic thought have been pointed out, as well as opinions and academic debates on its further development. JEL: A11; B25