Social Costs of Transformation to a Market Economy in Post-Socialist Countries: The Case of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary FROM THE PUBLISHER
The transformation provisions have brought about a replacement of the planning system by a capitalist market system. This change engendered many positive results, but at high social costs. Some results, such as a dramatic decline in output and a decline in the standard of living have been transitory, but unemployment, widening of income inequalities, weakening of social programs and expansion of poverty are permanent features of the new system. This book examines the active employment policy and its effect, especially focusing on the social costs of transformation. It analyzes the reasons for the expansion of poverty and the chances of reducing it. Great attention is devoted to the reforms of pension and health care system. This book also discusses the performance of the economies of subject countries and gives a critical evaluation of privatization, primarily of the Czech voucher privatization.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
This book focuses on the social costs of transformation from the planned economic system to the capitalist system in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Adam (economics, U. of Calgary, Canada) introduces the basics of transformation to a market economy as well as the resultant performances of her three case study nations. She then discusses the social costs of transformation in detail, investigating unemployment, the standard of living and economic inequality, the weakening of social programs, and poverty. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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