Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) saw a wave of democratization and market-oriented reforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as communist regimes collapsed and former Soviet satellites transitioned to democracy and a market economy. Among the most substantial changes was the shift from centrally planned to market-based economies. According to Turley & Luke (2012), this transition entailed the privatization of state-owned enterprises and the liberalization of prices, trade, and financial markets. The move to market-based economies was accompanied by a shift from authoritarian rule to democracy.
This transition was initially spurred by popular protests against communist regimes, as in Poland’s Solidarity movement or East Germany’s Monday demonstrations. Although economic reforms were inevitable and necessary, their sustainability was met with significant problems still experienced by some countries.
These protests often led to sweeping political changes, such as overthrowing communist regimes in Czechoslovakia and Romania. As Kornai (2006) explains, the economic reforms that followed were often painful, as they entailed layoffs, inflation, and other disruptions. However, they ultimately laid the groundwork for strong economic growth in the following years. Havrylyshyn and Rooden (2016) argue that the successful implementation of economic reforms was crucial to sustaining this growth; indeed, countries that were slow to implement reforms often fared worse in the long run. Overall, the transition to democracy and a market economy represented a significant turning point in CEE history.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, countries in the region have embarked on economic reforms to transition to free-market economies. While there is no single blueprint for success, several approaches have proven effective in promoting growth and stability. One of the most successful transitions has been in Poland, where a series of “shock therapy” reforms were implemented rapidly and comprehensively (Turley & Luke, 2012). An example of these reforms included introducing a convertible currency. As a result of these measures, Poland achieved high growth rates and avoided the inflation and stagnation that plagued other post-communist economies.
Another example is Hungary, where a more gradual approach was taken. In Hungary, privatization was delayed, and a social safety net was maintained to protect those most vulnerable to the changes. As a result, Hungary could avoid many social disruptions in other countries during the transition period (Havrylyshyn and Rooden, 2016). While different approaches may work better in different contexts, it is clear that there are several effective ways to transition to a free-market economy after communism.
Various approaches can be taken when undertaking economic reform, and each system has advantages and disadvantages. Some, like Poland and Hungary, implemented relatively widespread economic reforms relatively quickly, while others, like Russia and Ukraine, took a more gradual approach. Still others, like Belarus, largely resisted reform. A common strategy adopted by several countries was privatization or the sale of state-owned enterprises to private investors. This approach can help raise government capital and encourage competition, improving efficiency and productivity. However, it can also lead to increased inequality and social dislocation as workers lose their jobs or are forced to take pay cuts.
Another approach implemented by some countries was debt restructuring, which involved negotiating new terms with creditors to reduce the overall debt burden. This approach can effectively reduce the financial strain on the government, but it can also lead to higher interest rates and decreased access to credit. Ultimately, there is no single accommodative solution to economic reform, and each country must choose the best approach to its needs and circumstances. Whichever route is taken, the reform process must be well planned and executed to maximize its chances of success.
In the wake of the 1989 revolutions, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union (FSU) embarked on a process of economic reform. The old centrally planned economies were replaced with market-based systems, and the region’s countries began integrating with the global economy (Turley & Luke, 2012). However, this transition was not without its challenges. Many problems that emerged during the early years of reform resulted from the legacy of a centrally planned system. For example, inefficient state-owned enterprises were a drag on economic growth, and high government debt levels posed a fiscal risk. In addition, the region’s countries had to contend with a legacy of environmental degradation, infrastructure deficits, and low levels of human capital. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, many countries in Central and Eastern Europe have made considerable progress in recent years.
The Soviet government system was based on Karl Marx’s ideas, consisting of a single-party dictatorship and a centrally planned economy. This system proved inefficient and unpopular, and in 1989, a series of revolutions broke out across Central and Eastern Europe (Havrylyshyn & Rooden, 2016). The Communist regimes in Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria collapsed, and the Soviet Union soon followed suit. Thanks to reforms implemented since 1989, the region’s economies are now essentially free from government control and are growing at a healthy pace. As a result, living standards in CEE and FSU countries have improved significantly since the fall of communism.
In the aftermath of the Cold War, many nations in Central and Eastern Europe faced the daunting task of reforming their political and economic institutions. As Turley and Luke (2012) explain, these countries had to deal with a legacy of authoritarianism, central planning, and state control. In addition, they were often burdened by high levels of debt and inflation. Kornai (2006) cites several problems during this transition period, including declining output, high unemployment, and rising inequality.
Havrylyshyn & Rooden (2016) argues that many of these problems could have been avoided if the reforms had been implemented more carefully. However, he also notes that the transition was further complicated by some regions’ outbreak of ethnic conflict. Overall, the process of institutional reform in Central and Eastern Europe was fraught with difficulties.
One challenge was the lack of a strong civil society. Many Communist-era institutions, such as trade unions and political parties, had been controlled by the state and were not independent (Gevorkyan, 2018). As a result, there was little experience with democracy and public participation in decision-making. Another challenge was the legacies of the Communist past, such as corruption and a lack of transparency. In addition, there were economic constraints, as the transition from centrally planned to market economies was often accompanied by economic decline and high unemployment. Finally, there were ethnic tensions, as many Central and Eastern European countries were ethnically diverse and had large minority populations. These challenges made it difficult for Central and Eastern European countries to reform their institutions or develop new ones after 1989.
After decades of living under communist regimes, the people of these regions finally gained the freedom to choose their governments and institutions. However, the transition from communist rule to democracy was not easy. In many countries, the old government refused to give up power, and there were often bloody conflicts as new governments tried to take control. Additionally, many countries lacked the experience and resources to build democratic institutions from scratch. As a result, many new governments were weak and corrupt, and many new democracies quickly collapsed. Ultimately, it took many years of trial and error before Central and Eastern Europe finally stabilized politically. Even today, some countries in the region are still struggling to establish functional democracies.
Many existing institutions had been created during Communist rule and were not well equipped to deal with the needs of a free market economy. At the same time, there was a need for new institutions that could help to support economic growth and development. Unfortunately, institutional reform was often slow and challenging due to resistance from vested interests and a lack of resources. As a result, many countries in the region struggle to create effective institutions that meet the needs of their citizens.
The “big bang” approach to economic reform, also referred to as a rapid and simultaneous transition to a free market system, was adopted by many Central and Eastern European countries after 1989 and by the former Soviet Union. This approach involved a sudden and dramatic liberalization of prices, currency, trade, and the privatization of state-owned enterprises. The goal was to quickly transition these economies from centrally planned to market-based systems.
There are several advantages to the “big bang” approach to economic liberalization, as opposed to a more gradualist approach. First, it is less likely to provoke a backlash from entrenched interests. If reform is gradual, vested interests have time to adapt and may even be able to co-opt the reform process. Second, a sudden reform can be much more effective in jump-starting the economy. This was certainly the case in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989, where the initial shock of reforms led to an initial period of economic turmoil but eventually resulted in much higher growth rates than achieved under the old system (Kornai, 2006). Third, a big bang approach has a particular political appeal, as it is decisive and transformative. This was certainly the case with the reforms in Central and Eastern Europe, which were widely popular among voters who were tired of the stagnation and corruption of the old system.
While the big bang approach did lead to some increases in economic growth and living standards in the short term, it also resulted in several disadvantages. First, the sudden nature of the reforms often created disruptions and hardships for many workers and businesses by accelerating inflation and unemployment. Second, the rapid pace of privatization led to a concentration of ownership among a small number of elites, which increased economic inequality. Finally, the lack of regulation often resulted in widespread corruption and cronyism (Kornai, 2006). Overall, while the big bang approach may have produced some positive results in the short term, it also created significant problems that continue to this day.
There are some advantages to the gradual or institutionalist approach to economic reform, particularly in the aftermath of 1989 in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. As Turley and Luke point out, this approach allows for greater experimentation and flexibility and a more significant potential for learning from mistakes. Additionally, it is more likely to gain broad-based popular support, as it does not require a complete break from the past.
Kornai (2006) echoes these sentiments, arguing that the gradual approach is less disruptive and, therefore, less risky. Havrylyshyn & Rooden (2016) goes one step further, asserting that the institutionalist method is more effective in dealing with vested interests. In sum, the gradual or institutionalist approach has several distinct advantages that make it an attractive option for countries undertaking economic reform.
Several disadvantages are associated with the gradual or institutionalist approach to economic reform. First, this approach takes a long time to achieve results, which can be frustrating for those eager to see change occur quickly. Second, it can be difficult to sustain momentum for reform over the long term, as vested interests resist changes that threaten their power or position (Gevorkyan, 2018). Third, the pace of reform can vary widely from country to country, creating frustration and resentment among those who feel their country is not moving fast enough. Finally, this approach can be viewed as undemocratic, as it often involves elitists making decisions without input from the people affected by those decisions. Despite these challenges, the gradual or institutionalist approach has achieved notable regional successes since 1989.
The different economic approaches taken by the countries of Central and Eastern Europe after 1989 can be broadly categorized into two main streams: those favoring a more gradual and reformist transition to a market economy and those pursuing a more rapid and radical transformation. The former Soviet Union, for its part, embarked on a program of radical economic restructuring known as “shock therapy.” While this approach succeeded in jump-starting the country’s transition to a market economy, it also led to widespread economic dislocation and social upheaval. In the end, both the gradualist and shock therapy approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and it remains to be seen which will prove most successful in the long run.
References
Gevorkyan, A. V. (2018). Transition economies. Researchgate. Web.
Havrylyshyn, O., Meng, X., & Tupy, M. L. (2016). 25 Years of Reforms in Ex‐Communist Countries: Fast and Extensive Reforms Led to Higher Growth and More Political Freedom. CATO Institute. Web.
Kornai, J. (2006). The great transformation of Central Eastern Europe: Success and disappointment. Economics of Transition, 14(2), 207–244. Web.
Turley, G., & Luke, P. (2012). Transition economics. Tailor and Francis Group. Web.