Eastern European Development and Public Policy

This book analyses various important aspects of methodology and substance regarding economic, social, and political policy in Eastern Europe directed toward achieving more effective, efficient, and equitable societal institutions. The chapters are authored by experts from within Eastern Europe and also from Eastern Europe research institutes elsewhere. The book combines practical policy significance with insightful causal and prescriptive generalizations. The emphasis is on the role of governmental decision-making and the important (but secondary) role of the marketplace, social groups, and engineering. Specific sets of chapters include one dealing with economic policy, emphasizing the transition to a market economy in Russia and Eastern Europe. Social policy chapters include migration patterns, ethnic conflict, educational change, and other aspects of social policy in post-socialist societies. The technology policy section emphasizes environmental policy in Russia and Eastern Europe. The chapters on political policy include electoral systems, political parties, political alienation, the transition from non-democratic regimes, and the role of the armed forces. The countries examined include Greece, the former Yugoslavia, Russia, Poland, and Easter Europe in general.