In this book, first published in 1997, Kazimierz Z. Poznanski offers an integrated study of institutional change in the Polish economy since 1971. He examines the economic peak of the communist phase, the decline of the system, and the post-communist transition since 1989. Taking his analytical framework from evolutionary economics, he provides a complete re-evaluation of conventional views of communist economies and the post-communist transition. The book presents the communist economy as subject to major changes, particularly due to political pressures, and interprets its economic difficulties as related to underlying political decay. The economic 'shock therapy' of 1990 is seen as very much a continuation of earlier trends and pressures, which has led to probably an even deeper, though brief, economic collapse. This book will be of interest to economists and political scientists concerned with institutional transitions, as well as to students of East European and post-Soviet studies.
Preface; Introduction: research agenda, conceptual model and principal findings; Part I. Imperfect Decentralization, Broken Political Contracts and Foreign-Debt Crisis: 1. Import-led growth policy under 'soft' planning; 2. Impact of technology imports on national economy; 3. The constraining role of political factors; Part II. Economic Reforms, Divided Society and 'Growth Fatigue': 4. Anti-crisis policies and elusive economic recovery; 5. Foreign trade developments: underutilized potential; 6. Political Struggles and economic malaise; Part III. Communist Legacy, 'Shock Therapy' and Economic Recession: 7. Costly transition to 'hard' markets; 8. Political coalitions and property reforms; 9. The paradox of continuity in change; Appendix; Notes; References; Index.
