Political Economy of Transition Reforms

Abstract

The chapter discusses the political economy of transition from plan to market. We start with the political economy before transition when powerful vested interests delayed necessary reforms thus leading to the bankruptcy of the communist regimes. We then move to the political economy of early transition reforms and explain the divergence in the design and the outcomes of those reforms across the transition region. Next, we explain the rise in inequality and respective anti-reform backlash that was observed in many transition countries. We conclude with the analysis of today’s political economy analysis and implications for future reformers.