Book
Transition and Institutions

The Experience of Gradual and Late Reformers

The gradual introduction of market reforms in China since 1978 and their subsequent massive and rapid adoption in the former Soviet bloc triggered an intense debate on the factors and policies which promote a smooth transition to a market economy. Particularly during its initial phase, such debate has focused on liberalization, privatization, and the macroeconomy of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and Russia. Other reforming economies and aspects increasingly recognized as key to a successful transition have received less attention in the academic literature. This volume attempts to fill the gap by reviewing the often- neglected role of initial structural and institutional conditions and their subsequent development during the course of the transition. The volume focuses in particular on China, Russia, and the often-ignored countries of Central Asia, Vietnam, and those economies - such as Cuba and North Korea - which are in the very early phases of the reform process.

Table of contents
  1. Part I: Introduction and Overview
    1. Structural and Institutional Factors in the Transition to the Market Economy: An Overview
    Giovanni Andrea Cornia, Vladimir Popov
  2. Part II: Lessons from Selected Country Case Studies
    2. Russia: Inconsistent Shock Therapy with Weakening Institutions
    Vladimir Popov
    More Working Paper | A Russian Puzzle
  3. Part II: Lessons from Selected Country Case Studies
    3. Reform Paths in Central Asian Transitional Economies
    Richard Pomfret
  4. Part II: Lessons from Selected Country Case Studies
    4. The Chinese Road to the Market: Achievements and Long-term Sustainability
    Gang Fan
  5. Part II: Lessons from Selected Country Case Studies
    5. Vietnam: Transition as a Socialist Project in East Asia
    Manuel F. Montes
    More Working Paper | Viet Nam
  6. Part II: Lessons from Selected Country Case Studies
    6. The Tortuous Road to the Market in North Korea: Problems and Prospects
    Keun Lee
    More Working Paper | The Road to the Market in North Korea
  7. Part II: Lessons from Selected Country Case Studies
    7. Cuba: The Stalled Transition
    Manuel Pastor
  8. Part III: Changes in Key Institutions
    8. Economic Performance in Transitional Economies: The Role of Ownership, Incentives, and Restructuring
    Derek C. Jones
    More Working Paper | The Determinants of Economic Performance in Transitional Economies
  9. Part III: Changes in Key Institutions
    9. Unorthodox Ownership and Governance Structures in Transitional East Asia
    Laixiang Sun
    More Working Paper | Emergence of Unorthodox Ownership and Governance Structures in East Asia
  10. Part III: Changes in Key Institutions
    10. Transition Approaches, Institutions, and Income Inequality
    Giovanni Andrea Cornia
    More Working Paper | Transition and Income Distribution
  11. Part III: Changes in Key Institutions
    11. Informal Institutions, Social Capital, and Economic Transition: Reflections on a Neglected Dimension
    Martin Raiser
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