Economic Institutions and Democratic Reform: A Comparative Analysis of Post-Communist Countries (Economies and Societies in Transition series) - Hardcover

Nørgaard, Ole

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184064401X ISBN 13: 9781840644012

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2000

Synopsis

Economic Institutions and Democratic Reformrigorously and systematically explores the political effects and consequences of economic reform in more than 20 post-communist countries.

By using primary quantitative data and stringent statistical analyses, Ole Norgaard demonstrates that there is no universally applicable economic reform strategy and that popular democracy is often the foundation of a successful economy, rather than a powerful executive or president, as is popularly asserted. The book also shows that generalised models are not productive when studying the complexity of post-communist transformation. The author argues that the danger to democracy comes from the alienation of citizens and the collapse of public service and education systems instigated by individuals who, with few democratic credentials, capture the political playing field. These leaders have often been encouraged by Western governments who believe democracy can only be imposed on reluctant societies by newborn capitalist elites.

This book will be essential and challenging reading for political scientists and economists as well as policymakers in NGOs, such as aid agencies and the institutions of the EU.

About this title

About the Author

The late Ole Nørgaard, formerly Professor, Aarhus University, Denmark

Edition details

• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184064401X
• ISBN 13: 9781840644012
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272