Ebook Economic Transition In Albania: Political Constraints And Mentality Barriers
Following the big changes in Central and Eastern Europe, economic literature is often dealing with different transformation and development models of the area countries. At the outset many standard reform packages were discussed extensively as it was widely accepted that their models are similar in many points. Time passes for this part of the world and each of the countries has already established its own path and pace of economic reform.
Alongside with similarities country economists notice a lot of differences. Advancers and less advancers could be easily recognized. Meantime a growing amount of literature discussing the challenges of the unknown and specific paths of economic transition has been appearing. Most of it, in general or for specific cases, written by native economists or other professionals, contributes to the understanding and explanation of the situation.
Albania is obviously one of the most unique cases in Eastern Europe not only for its size and location but also for its legacy in the economic development and many other peculiarities as well. Without denying similarities with other ex communist countries, Albania has pursued its way of economic transformation toward a market economy. Unfortunately very little has been published about Albania. Only some few articles of Albanian researchers ( Pashko, Muço, etc.) and also few attempts by some European colleagues ( Schnytzer, Kaser, Hutchings, Sjoberg etc.) are in circulation. Recent publications by IMF, World Bank and EBRD are filling up the virtual lack of data.
Located in the Balkan Peninsula, in southeastern Europe, Albania is one of the oldest nations in the region. It inherited many natural resources and an authentic culture and tradition. Historic and political events left this small country on the Adriatic coast for 500 years under the Ottoman Empire, which did not stimulate development and prosperity. After the Second World War it joined the European communist block, followed by 45 years of autocratic rule and extremely self-isolated policy. Albania entered the fight to create a democratic society and a market economy in the beginning of 1990s. After half decade of reform it might be too early to affirm that every thing was done in the right way to establish the new market economy. Although difficulties emerged from Albanian situation and there are still many unsolved issues, Albania is seriously involved in this historic transformation and has all the chances to join Europe, to which it belongs, and furthermore the worldwide economic community.
Taking in consideration many factors, internal and external, and comparing them with similar conditions in some Eastern European countries, it seems that the completing of the task might need still some time. Albania with its overall heritage and present condition can not make a jump in a very short time. One problem to be discussed here is, choosing the lowest cost of transformation, how energetic, radical and fast this process could be.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Socialist Legacy-A Real Obstacle to Albanian Economic Reform
- 1.1. The Level of Economic Centralization.
1.2. Structural Misorientations.
1.3. The Internal and External Imbalance.
Chapter 2: The Ongoing Economic Transformation in Albania
- 2.1. Initial Political and Macroeconomic Conditions
2.2. Stabilization, Liberalization and the Openness of the Country
2.3. Privatization, Employment and the Labor Market
2.4. Reform of Institutions and the Legal System.
2.5. Pattern of Growth during Transition and Factors that could determine a Post-Emergency Growth Behavior in Albania.
2.6. Crisis of 1996-1997: Complexity of Reasons versus Simple Financial Looses.
Chapter 3: Political Constraints and Mentality Barriers to the Albanian Economic Reform
- 3.1. What Makes Albania Different and Similar to Other Central and Eastern European Countries.
3.2. The New Role of Politics in the Economic Life: Political Constraints.
3.3. Old and New Mentality Barriers.
Summary and Concluding Remarks
References
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