The postcommunist transitions to a market economy raised doubts about the political sustainability of an economic reform under democracy. At the same time, they turned the attention to the centrality of political factors in economic policy-making. Latvia has succeeded in proceeding into the consolidation phase of its market reforms while remaining committed to both political pluralism and macroeconomic austerity. Even if politics were not treated as a mere constraint, the basic question is still: how are the government's adjustment choices modified in the political process?

Autorentext

MARJA NISSINEN is Researcher in the Group for Technology Studies, VTT/ Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo. She previously worked as Project Manager in the Marketing Department, Latvian Development Agency, Riga and Non-Diplomatic legation officer, the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Helsinki. She was Assistant of Political Science, University of Helsinki, 1992-93.

Inhalt

Tables and Figures Abbreviations PART I: RESEARCH PROBLEM AND ITS FOUNDATIONS Introduction The Political Sources of Economic Policy Choices PART II: THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS Transitional Dilemma Radical and Gradualist Strategies for Reform PART III: SETTING THE RESEARCH TASK PART IV: EMPIRICAL CASE STUDY Latvia's Transformation Strategy Privatization Economic Programs of the Political Party the Political System and Its Special Features Ideologization of Economic Policies PART V: POLITICS VERSUS MARKETS? Political Constraints on Economic Reform References Bibliography List of Persons Interviewed Index