How Capitalism Was Built tells the story of how the former communist countries in East and Central Europe, Russia, and Central Asia became market economies from 1989 to 2006. It discusses preconditions, political breakthroughs, and alternative reform programs. Three major chapters deal with the deregulation of prices and trade, price stabilization, and privatization. Early radical reform made output decline the least. Social developments have been perplexing but mixed. The building of democracy and the establishment of the rule of law have been far less successful. International assistance has been limited but helpful. This region has now become highly dynamic, but corruption remains problematic.
Contents
Introduction: a world transformed; 1. Communism and its demise; 2. Shock therapy vs. gradualism; 3. Output: slump and recovery; 4. Liberalisation: the creation of a market economy; 5. From hyper-inflation to financial stability; 6. Privatisation: the establishment of private property rights; 7. An inefficient social system; 8. Democracy vs. authoritarianism; 9. From crime toward law; 10. The role of oligarchs; 11. The role of international assistance; 12. Conclusions: a world transformed.
Prize Winner
An Economist Book of the Year, 2007
2008 Choice Outstanding Academic Title
Review
"Describing and assessing the course, successes, and failures of transforming the former Soviet Union and seven other countries into market economies, this study has no equals in comprehensiveness and specificity.... Highly recommended." - Choice
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