Skip to main content

Economic Transformation Processes: Political Possibilities and Social Limitations

  • Conference paper
On the Theory and Policy of Systemic Change

Part of the book series: Studies in Contemporary Economics ((CONTEMPORARY))

Abstract

When analyzing the processes of economic transition in the Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe three points seem to be important. First, government is not a benevolent dictator, eager to substitute an efficient economic system for an inefficient one; governmental behavior is rather influenced by social forces that are generated by the interdependent actions of the winners and losers of the transformation process. Second, government is not able to control the consequences of its policy completely. Third, crucial to transformation processes are phenomena such as nonlinearities, critical-mass-phenomena, self-enforcing processes, path-dependence as well as both abrupt and gradual changes of the economic system.1

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Buchanan, J.M., R.D. Tollison and G. Tullock (eds.), 1980, Toward a Theory of the Rent-Seeking Society, Texas, A and M University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobias, P., 1986, Die Wirtschaftssysteme Osteuropas, Darmstadt, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eger, T. and P. Weise, 1991, “Latente Imitation und manifeste Transformation von Wirtschaftssystemen”, in: J. Backhaus (ed.), Systemwandel und Reform in östlichen Wirtschaften, Marburg, Metropolis: 67–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eger, T. and P. Weise, 1990, “Normen als gesellschaftliche Ordner”, Ökonomie und Gesellschaft, Jahrbuch 8: Individuelles Verhalten und kollektive Phänomene, Frankfurt a. Main, Campus: 65–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ericson, R.E., 1991, “The Classical Soviet-type Economy: Nature of the System and Implications for Reform”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 5: 11–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell, J.P., 1991, “Monitoring the Great Transition”, Comparative Economic Studies33: 9–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, R. and D. Rodrik, 1991, “Resistance to Reform: Status Quo Bias in the Presence of Individual-Specific Uncertainty”, American Economic Review 81: 1146–1155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, S. and A. Gelb, 1991, “The Process of Socialist Economic Transformation”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 5: 91–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschman, A.O., 1970, Exit, Voice and Loyalty, Cambridge/Mass., Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guha, A.S., 1981, An Evolutionary View of Economic Growth, Oxford, Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ickes, B.W., 1990, “Obstacles to Economic Reform of Socialism: An Institutional-Choice Approach”, in: J.S. Prybyla (ed.), Privatizing and Marketizing Socialism, Special Volume of The Annals, 507: 53–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaich, R., 1990, Zur Analyse der Transformation von Wirtschaftssystemen, Diplomarbeit, Kassel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloten, N., 1989, “Zur Transformation von Wirtschaftsordnungen”, Ordo 40: 99–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kornai, J., 1990, “The Affinity Between Ownership Forms and Coordination Mechanisms: The Common Experience of Reform in Socialist Countries”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 4: 131–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krug, B., 1991, “Die Transformation der sozialistischen Volkswirtschaften in Zentraleuropa: Ein Beitrag der vergleichenden Ökonomischen Theorie von Institutionen”, in: H. J. Wagener (ed.), Anpassung durch Wandel. Evolution und Transformation von Wirtschaftssystemen, Berlin, Duncker and Humblot: 39–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leipold, H., 1991, “Politische Ordnung und wirtschaftliche Umgestaltung: Zu Restriktionen und Reformen in Politik und Verwaltung”, in: K.-H. Hartwig and H.J. Thieme (eds.), Transformationsprozesse in sozialistischen Wirtschaftssystemen. Ursachen, Konzepte, Instrumente, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer: 227–252.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, A.W., 1955, The Theory of Economic Growth, London, Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litwack, J.M., 1991, “Legality and Market Reform in Soviet-Type Economies”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 5: 77–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinnon, R.J., 1991, “Financial Control in the Transition from Classical Socialism to a Market Economy”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 5: 107–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montias, J. M., 1976, The Structure of Economic Systems, New Haven, Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murrell, P., 1991, “Can Neoclassical Economics Underpin the Reform of Centrally Planned Economies?”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 5: 59–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuberger, E. and W. Duffy, 1976, Comparative Economic Systems. A Decision-Making Approach, Boston, London, Sidney, Allyn and Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D.C., 1990, Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance, Cambridge/Mass., Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saslawskaja, T., 1989, Die Gorbatschow-Strategie. Wirtschafts-und Sozialpolitik in der UdSSR, Wien, Orac.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, G.E., 1990, “Economic Reform of Socialism: The Soviet Record”, in: J.S. Prybyla (ed.), Privatizing and Marketizing Socialism, Special Volume of The Annals, 507: 35–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinn, G. and H.-W. Sinn, 1991, Kaltstart. Volkswirtschaftliche Aspekte der deutschen Vereinigung, Tübingen, Mohr.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tietzel, M., M. Weber and O.F. Bode, 1991, Die Logik der sanften Revolution. Eine ökonomische Analyse, Tübingen, Mohr.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ursprung, H.W., 1982, Die elementare Katastrophentheorie: Eine Darstellung aus der Sicht der Ökonomie, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagener, H.-J., 1992, “System Order and Change: On Evolution and Transformation of Economic Systems”, in: J. van den Broeck and D. van den Bulcke (eds.), Changing Economic Order, Groningen, Wolters-Nordhoff: 23–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weise, P. and W. Brandes, 1990, “A Synergetic View of Institutions”, Theory and Decision 28: 173–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winiecki, J., 1990, “Obstacles to Economic Reform of Socialism: A Property-Rights Approach”, in: J. S. Prybyla (ed.), Privatizing and Marketizing Socialism, Special Volume of The Annals, 507: 65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, Th. A., 1991, “The Lessons of Limited Market-Oriented Reform”, Journal of Economic Perspectives 5: 45–58.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Eger, T., Weise, P. (1993). Economic Transformation Processes: Political Possibilities and Social Limitations. In: Wagener, HJ. (eds) On the Theory and Policy of Systemic Change. Studies in Contemporary Economics. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-99768-6_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-99768-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Physica-Verlag HD

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7908-0660-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-99768-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics