Theoretical and empirical aspects of systemic transformation of central and eastern European countries

摘要

The author of the article presents an empirical analysis of the processes of transformation in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe adopting as the starting point for the analysis the main points of the theory of systemic transformation of the economy of "real socialism' formulated by the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) in 1991. The material for the analysis was provided by the 1996 World Bank report "From Plan to Market". The analysis reveals far-reaching similarities between transformation processes in individual countries, in terms of conditions, stages and sequence of transformations as well as the general shape of the emerging social and economic order. Essential differences have occurred in the choice of transformation strategy --radical and gradual. The empirical data suggest that the type of transformation strategy seems to be the main factor determining the degree of success in formulating the market-oriented economy. In conclusion of the article its author stresses that despite its advancement the process of transformation in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe has not been completed yet.