Studies in Comparative Economic Systems series – serie

This major book presents an objective and penetrating economic analysis of stabilization and reform in Eastern Europe, combined with a compassionate plea for individual rights and solidarity.Janos Kornai - one of the most famous Hungarian economists of his generation - focuses on two main issues: first, the problems of stabilization and adjustment, which are painful but necessary conditions of sustainable growth and second, the reform of the 'premature welfare state' of Eastern European countries, which is disproportionately large in relation to the resources available and which was hitherto managed in a highly centralized, bureaucratic and paternalistic way.Struggle and Hope goes beyond most other books on the transition process by placing considerable emphasis on the understanding of the ethical implications and the historical roots of each problem, and also the political conditions and consequences of change. Although economic efficiency is extremely important, it is not the exclusive criterion; ethical principles of individual sovereignty and solidarity must also receive particular attention.Professor Kornai's insightful analysis will become required reading for all those concerned with the process of post-socialist transition.

This highly topical book focuses on a particularly interesting area of post-1989 social policy. Existing public pension systems in Central-Eastern Europe underwent fundamental change as Latin-American style pension reforms were adopted. Such radical change in retirement provision defied conventional wisdom among scholars of the political economy of pension reform, suggesting a need for fresh research. This unique study accepts the challenge, focusing on the divergent pension reform experiences of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.This study was granted the EACES Award 2000, a bi-annual prize awarded in the area of comparative economic systems and economics of transition.It has also been awarded the Ed. A. Hewett Prize by the AAASS (American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies).

Clemens Schutte analyses the emergence of corporate control structures in the Czech privatization process. The book depicts the basic features of the Czech system of corporate control and the direction of its transformation. This is an extremely relevant subject since the Czech privatization process is a model case in several respects: it is institutionally open and hence allows for spontaneous development; and privatization has been carried out comprehensively and rapidly. Based upon a theoretical analysis of the institutional cornerstones of corporate control, the book develops clear recommendations which are subsequently used as a benchmark to assess the performance of the evolving Czech system of corporate control.The book discusses the role of the most important players in corporate control including the big bank-centred financial groups, capital markets, the board model of Czech corporations and the institutional base of debt control and minority shareholder protection. It also reveals the conflict of political intentions and real-time developments.As an important and timely contribution, this book will be invaluable reading for all those involved, or interested, in the privatization and corporate control of other Central and Eastern European countries. Those working in financial and political institutions will also find this book valuable.

This important, original book focuses on the transformation of economic systems in Central Europe. It provides a comprehensive overview of different theoretical approaches to transformation - neoclassical, post Keynesian and Austrian. In the light of this theoretical discussion, it reconsiders the transformation policies applied in the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Poland.Dr Hoen challenges the dichotomous 'shock-versus-gradualism' dispute, which he believes blurs the key elements of the transformation from a centrally planned to a market economy. He also maintains that the labels generally attached to the transformation strategies in Central Europe are inappropriate and misleading. Hungary's transformation to a market economy, for example, is to be qualified as a 'hidden shock' rather than as an example of 'gradualism'.This up-to-date new book, which theoretically explains the diverging paths of transformation in Central Europe will be of interest to researchers, students, policymakers and all those concerned with European integration and international relations.