Showing papers by "Marc Suhrcke published in 2000"

Ten years after: what is special about transition countries

Abstract: Most countries commonly classified as "in transition" are still recognisably different from other countries with a similar income per capita in some respects: a larger share of their work force is in industry, they use more energy, they have a more extensive infrastructure and invest more in schooling. However, in terms of the "software" necessary for a market economy, two groups emerge: the countries that are candidates for EU membership seem to have partly completed the transition. By contrast, the countries from the former Soviet Union that form the CIS and the South-eastern European (SEE) countries, are still largely lagging behind in terms of the enforcement of property rights and the development of financial markets.

Ten years after: What is special about transition countries?

Abstract: Most countries commonly classified as 'in transition' are st ill recognisably different from other countries with a similar income per capita in some respects: a larger share of their work force is in industry, they use more energy, they have a more extensive infrastructure and invest more in schooling. However, in terms of the 'software' necessary for a market economy, two groups emerge: the countries that are candidates for EU membership seem to have partly completed the transition. By contrast, the countries from the former Soviet Union that form the CIS and the South-eastern European (SEE) countries, are still largely lagging behind in terms of the enforcement of property rights and the development of financial markets.

Ten Years After: What is so special about Transition Countries? CEPS Working Document No. 143, April 2000

Abstract: Most countries commonly classified as ‘in transition’ are still recognisably different in several respects from other countries with a similar income per capita: a larger share of their work force is in industry, they use more energy, have a more extensive infrastructure and invest more in schooling. However, in terms of the ‘software’ necessary for a market economy, two groups emerge: the countries that are candidates for EU membership seem to have partly completed the transition. By contrast, the countries from the former Soviet Union that form the CIS and the Balkan countries are still lagging behind, especially in terms of the enforcement of property rights and the development of financial markets.

Are Reforms From a Centrally Planned to a Market System Bad for Health

Abstract: Alerted by the dramatic mortality increase in Russia after the onset of transition, and inspired by Sen (1997) to interpret mortality as an indicator of economic performance, mortality data is used as the benchmark, by which to judge the success or failure of transition in Central and Eastern Europe. In particular, it is examined whether reforms from a centrally planned to a market system did have a detrimental effect on health during transition, as it has allegedly been the case in Russia. Controlling for other determinants of health such as GDP growth and health provision, the hypothesis that reforms are bad for health cannot be supported. Instead, good reforms do have a beneficial effect, quite independently of GDP growth. In the 23 countries examined for the period 1989-96, health provision can only account for the development of infant, child and female mortality rates, but not for adult male mortality, which seems to be largely due to stress-related phenomena, that are generally considered to be quite unrelated to health care provision. Further, in contrast to the growth in transition-literature, there seems to be no trade-off between short-term costs and longterm benefits of reform. Good reform directly translates into better health. Several mechanisms are discussed to shed light on the link between good reform and good health. A particularly worrying trend with potentially wide-ranging long-term implications for the CEECs? development paths derives from the observation of a substantial degree of divergence in health status across the region, given the important role of health in determining future growth prospects.

what is special about transition countries

Abstract: Most countries commonly classified as ‘in transition’ are still recognisably different in some respects from other countries with a similar income per capita: a larger share of their workforce is in industry, they use more energy, they have a more extensive infrastructure and invest more in schooling. However, in terms of the ‘software’ necessary for a market economy, two groups emerge: the countries that are candidates for EU membership seem to have partly completed the transition. By contrast, the countries from the former Soviet Union that form the CIS and the South-eastern European (SEE) countries, are still largely lagging behind in terms of the enforcement of property rights and the development of financial markets.