Book
Economies in Transition

The Long-Run View

The twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall has stimulated much reflection on the political, economic and social transitions that have taken place in the past two decades. Many Central European and Baltic countries initially appeared to epitomize a successful transition to markets and democracy, becoming full members of the European Union.

Yet the impact of the recent global financial crisis has called into question the stability of their success, and the viability of existing political arrangements.

This book focuses on the long-term development of the former Soviet bloc, providing a stimulating discussion on a range of important issues, including institutional development, demographic trends and the role of civil society. Twenty-three eminent scholars discuss the effects and implications of reform policies, providing a unique perspective on the past as well as the economic prospects for the future.

Actions

Copy Citation Access Book

Editor

Gerard Roland

Details

December 2012

Palgrave Macmillan

© UNU-WIDER 2018

Table of contents
  1. Introduction
    Gerard Roland
  2. Innovation and Dynamism: Interaction between Systems and Technical Progress
    János Kornai
    Working Paper | Innovation and Dynamism
  3. The Demographic Transformation of Post-Socialist Countries: Causes, Consequences and Questions
    Elizabeth Brainerd
    Working Paper | The Demographic Transformation of Post-Socialist Countries
  4. Reform and Inequality during the Transition: An Analysis Using Panel Household Survey Data, 1990-2005
    Branko Milanovic, Lire Ersado
    Working Paper | Reform and Inequality during the Transition
  5. Twenty Years of Political Transition
    Daniel Treisman
    Working Paper | Twenty Years of Political Transition
  6. Into the Void: Governing Finance in Central and Eastern Europe
    Katharina Pistor
    Working Paper | Into the Void
  7. The Long-Run Weight of Communism or the Weight of Long-Run History?
    Gerard Roland
    Working Paper | The Long-Run Weight of Communism or the Weight of Long-Run History?
  8. Misuse of Institutions: Lessons from Transition
    Leonid Polishchuk
    Working Paper | Misuse of Institutions
  9. Civil Society, Institutional Change and the Politics of Reform: The Great Transition
    László Bruszt, Nauro F. Campos, Jan Fidrmuc, Gerard Roland
    Working Paper | Civil Society, Institutional Change and the Politics of Reform
  10. Twenty Years Later and the Socialist Heritage is Still Kicking: The Case of Russia
    Gur Ofer
    Working Paper | Twenty Years Later and the Socialist Heritage is still Kicking
  11. European Transition at Twenty: Assessing Progress in Countries and Sectors
    Erik Berglöf, Lise Bruynooghe, Heike Harmgart, Peter Sanfey, Helena Schweiger, Jeromin Zettelmeyer
    Working Paper | European Transition at Twenty
  12. Transition, Structural Divergence, and Performance: Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union over 2000-2007
    Giovanni Andrea Cornia
    Working Paper | Transition, Structural Divergence, and Performance
  13. The Long Road to Normalcy: Where Russia Now Stands
    Vladimir Popov
    Working Paper | The Long Road to Normalcy
  14. The Travails of Unification: East Germany's Economic Transition since 1989
    Charles S. Maier
    Working Paper | The Travails of Unification
  15. Transition in Southeast Europe: Understanding Economic Development and Institutional Change
    Milica Uvalic
    Working Paper | Transition in Southeast Europe
  16. Central Asia after Two Decades of Independence
    Richard Pomfret
    Working Paper | Central Asia after Two Decades of Independence
Show all
Endorsements

'There were pleasant and unpleasant surprises in the transition process. It certainly did not occur in a vacuum and this volume, by some of the best experts on the subject, helps shed light on long-run trends in former socialist countries.' - Václav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992) and President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003)

'This is an excellent volume on the transition process from central planning to a market economy. Reflecting the views of many of the most distinguished analysts, the book provides a mature perspective on one of the most important economic phenomena of the 20th and 21st century. It is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the transition.' - Jan Svejnar, Director of the International Policy Center at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan.

Context

Project
Reflections on transition - twenty years after the fall of the Berlin wall
Corresponding publications
Blog | From the Editor's Desk (June-July 2012)
Blog | From the Editor's Desk (January 2012)
Blog | From The Editor's Desk (December 2012)
Blog | After the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Keywords