Socialism, Capitalism, Transformation
This volume gathers together essays on the theme of economic transition in Central and Eastern Europe, written by the former Polish Minister of Finance. In it, the author summarizes the research on institutions, institutional change and human behaviour that he has undertaken since the late 1970s. He addresses such issues as the socialist market economy, reformability of the Soviet-type economic system, democratization and market-orientated reform in Central and Eastern Europe, and the Polish model of economic reform.
Professor Balcerowicz is an experienced policymaker as well as a scholar of international repute, and the essays that make up this volume are both accessible and authoritative.
Part 1: Problems with the definition of socialism in todays world
On the ‘socialist market economy’
‘Socialist calculation debate’ and reform discussions
On the reformability of the Soviet-type economic systems
Towards an analysis of ownership
Political and economic regimes
Part 2: Understanding post-communist transitions
Economic transition in Central/ East Europe
Various roads to a private market economy
Macropolicies in transition to a market economy
Common fallacies in the debate on economic transition
Part 3: Polish economic reform 1981-88
Political economy of economic reform in Poland 1989-92
Transition to a market economy - Poland 1989-93
Conclusion