Ebook: On the Theory and Policy of Systemic Change

Between 1989 and 1992 three colloquia on transformation problems were held at the Ludwig-Reimers-Stiftung, Bad Homburg. At the end of the 1980s the collapse of the Soviet-type socialist economic system had become clear and, hence, the necessity to transform these systems into an entirely different eco­ nomic order. Similar processes have happened and still happen in other his­ torical constellations, for instance in developing countries. It has been the aim of the Transformation Colloquium to gain more theoretical insight into these phenomena. The object of research has been transformation defined as transition from a given economic order (socialist planned economy e.g.) to a consistent new or­ der (market economy). This is a highly complex phenomenon which occurred, above all, during the 20th century: introduction and abolition of socialist sys­ tems, transition from war economies to peace-time market economies. Histori­ cal experience allows perhaps for certain generalizing abstractions. The central problem discussed at all (up to now) three colloquia is the question whether the object is amenable for theoretical analysis and which approaches eventually are promising.

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The book's central task is to look into the possibility of explaining theoretically the phenomenon of systemic change which we are observing rightnow in Central and Eastern Eu- rope. The process of transformation has economic, social, political, cultural and historical implications and is con- ditioned by all these factors. Hence, no uniform and consi- stent explanation is available presently. We may expect this to become one of the growth fields of future research. The 12 authors of the book - among others B. Blankart, L Csaba, N. Kloten, P. Pelikan, Fr. Schneider, P.P.J. Welfens - look at the transformation process from different theore- tical angles. So the reader will get acquainted with the true complexity of the phenomenon. Abstaining from direct policy advice and ready-made solutions, the book discusses some of the more fundamental problems of institutional chan- ge and transformation policy. So the book can also be used as assignment for courses on this subject.