Economic Transition in Central and Eastern Europe
Planting the Seeds

Economic analysis of the process of transition to market economies in Central and Eastern Europe.

Daniel Gros (Author), Alfred Steinherr (Author)

9780521826389, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 March 2004

374 pages, 11 b/w illus. 4 maps 22 tables
25.5 x 18 x 3 cm, 0.89 kg

"It is clearly written, and much of it could be easily understood without any formal training of economics. This is quite remarkable, considering the nature of some of the topics covered in the text. The graphics (figures) are excellent and both the graphics (figures) and table are quite effective in illustrating points made in the text. The Introduction does an excellent job of motivating and summarizing the subsequent chapters. I would certainly recommend the book to anyone who would like to learn about the transition process in Central and Eastern Europe."
The Russian Review, Susan J. Linz, Michigan State University

Analysing the key problems facing the transition countries in Central and Eastern Europe, this accessible book describes the legacy of the central planners, the progress achieved so far and the need for further reforms. It documents the outstanding successes and failures, and analyses why certain approaches to transition have worked and others have not. It tests where transition is over and shows how some countries have graduated from 'transition' to 'integration' through their efforts to join the European Union (EU). It discusses the costs and benefits of the eastern enlargement of the EU. The specific experiences of German unification, the Soviet Union's disintegration, and Russia's complex reforms are examined, as are the specific issues that need to be addressed in the Balkans. The book concludes by indicating how the expanding EU could help the poor performers through inclusion in a continent-wide integrated economic area.

Introduction
Part I. The Rise and Decline of Communism: An Overview: 1. From pre-war Russia to the fall of Communism
2. The obsession with growth
Part II. Transition: 1990–2000: 3. Transition: the job
4. Transition: ten years later
5. Transition: unfinished business
Part III: Extreme Cases for Reform: Scope for Disagreements: 6. German unification: an example of big-bang reform
7. The disintegration of the Soviet Union
8. Russia: after a lost decade Phoenix rises from the ashes?
Part IV. The New Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals: 9. Eastern enlargement
10. Saving the Balkans
11. The outlook
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Economic systems & structures [KCS], Political economy [KCP], Development economics & emerging economies [KCM], Regional studies [GTB]