PRIVATIZATION IN EASTERN EUROPE: A Critical Approach (Studies of Communism in Transition series) - Hardcover

`This short book should be read by all students of economic transition in eastern Europe. As a lucid and concise survey of the issues involved in the ongoing process of privatization in the region, it serves as an excellent introduction for students and a useful reference book for co-researchers.' -- Ian Kearns, International Affairs `This is a major contribution to our understanding of privatization in Eastern Europe. Dr Major provides a comprehensive analysis of the programme and problems of privatization in the whole area. It is a well-structured and lucidly written book which presents a convincing analysis.' -- Anders Aslund, Director of the Stockholm Institute of East European Economics, Sweden `I found this exhaustive and thoughtful book extremely interesting. I not only benefited from reading it; I also enjoyed doing so.' -- Milton Friedman, Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institute on War, Revolution and Peace, and Nobel Laureate in Economics 1976 `. . . Major's book. . . . a broad, analytical framework for considering the whole problem of privatization.' -- John Bristow, The Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics `. . . an interesting study by an East European scholar which provides a distinct analysis of problems of privatization in Eastern Europe. . . . the book provides useful insights into the area of Eastern European privatization.' -- Gulshan Sachdeva, Comparative Economic Studies `. . . Ivan Major's book is a highly interesting and valuable piece of writing.' -- T. Mellar, Acta Oeconomica

The task of turning the state-owned assets of the Eastern European countries over to private ownership is one of the most challenging of our time, both intellectually and in practical terms. Ivan Major's in-depth critique of the plans and programmes of the East European governments addresses the core issues of privatization from the perspective of both potential winners and losers. After discussing the analytical framework, he offers an assessment of the legacy of the command economy and includes individual country studies of Czechoslovakia, the former GDR, Hungary, Poland and the former Soviet Union. The following chapters look at the theoretical, political and economic underpinning as well as assessments of the initial results of East European privatizations. Dr Major argues that the whole network of political regulation must be dismantled if an efficient market economy is to emerge. Privatization in Eastern Europe offers a critical analysis of the movement towards privatization in Eastern Europe as well as an authoritative assessment of the existing literature. This book will be welcomed by scholars and policymakers as an important source of analysis, argument and information.