How Russia Became a Market Economy / Edition 1

by Anders Aslund

Overview

"The breakup of the Soviet Union and the attempted transformation of Russia into a democracy and a market economy constitute one of the most significant events of our time. A transformation could hardly be greater, yet judgments vary from failure to substantial achievement. This book clarifies that Russia has actually become a market economy.

Anders Aslund provides the most detailed and insightful assessment to date of the Russian transformation from a socialist economy to a market economy. His account covers the period from the formation of the Russian reform government in November 1991 through the autumn of 1994. He discusses the preconditions of economic reform, the formation of a reform program, relations with other former Soviet republics, liberalization, macroeconomic stabilization, and privatization. The final chapter evaluates the transformation.

As a longtime specialist on the Soviet economy and an economic adviser to the Russian government during most of this period, Aslund analyzes the original intentions of the government, what they were able to accomplish, and why they fell short.

The book's general conclusion is that the greater the speed, consistency, and determination, the more impressive the results. The main threat to the reform process was the resistance from the state enterprise managers, who wanted to enrich themselves at the expense of the state. The reformers could only win if they acted swiftly and firmly. According to Aslund, the Russian transformation has not been too quick, as many maintain, but rather too slow.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815704256
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/1995
Series:	Integrating National Economies Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1310L (what's this?)

About the Author

"Anders Aslund is a senior fellow at the Institute for International Economics and former director of the Russian and Eurasian Program at the Carnegie Endowment. He is an internationally recognized specialist on Ukraine and postcommunist economic"

Editorial Reviews

Aslund (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; economic advisor, Ukranian government) details Russia's transformation from a socialist economy to a market economy, covering the period from formation of the reform government in November 1991 to early 1995. He analyzes the original intentions of the government, its accomplishments, and why reforms fell short. He argues that the Russian transformation hasn't been quick enough. Includes a chronology and brief notes on key people, plus numerous tables. Paper edition (unseen), $16.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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