the politics and economics of socialist transformation /
First Statement of Responsibility
Peter J. Boettke.
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.
New York :
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Routledge,
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
1993.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
viii, 199 pages ;
Dimensions
22 cm
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada.
INTERNAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES/INDEXES NOTE
Text of Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 147-194) and index.
CONTENTS NOTE
Text of Note
1. Introduction -- 2. The road to nowhere -- 3. The theoretical problems of socialism -- 4. The nature of the Soviet-type system -- 5. The logic of politics and the logic of reform -- 6. Credibility in Soviet reforms -- 7. Charting a new course -- 8. Conclusion.
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SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Gorbachev's reforms brought high hopes in the West and empty shelves in the East. Why Perestroika Failed argues that successful reform is only possible on the basis of a sound understanding of market and political processes. Using an Austrian market process approach to analyse the economics of the Soviet system, and a public choice one to sound understanding of market and political address the political dimension, Boettke argues that Gorbachev's reforms were always destined to fail. In part perestroika failed because it was never really implemented. But nonetheless, even if all the major proposals and decrees had been scrupulously adhered to, they would not have produced the structural changes necessary to revive the former Soviet economy. Knowing why perestroika failed is crucially important as the former Soviet republics and East and Central Europe try and chart a new course.