This volume reports the proceedings of a conference of highly qualified practitioners and theorists from East and West, dealing with competition and the important part it plays as an essential element of the market economic system. So far, in the countries of Central and East Europe and of the former USSR, privatisation of state enterprises has failed to bring about a more responsive, more competitive behaviour of these firms. It is recognised that various elements of competition - privatisation, breaking down of monopolies, trade liberalisation, strengthening of small- and medium-sized competitors; and institutional requirements - should be implemented simultaneously.

Inhalt
Preface and Acknowledgements - Editor's Introduction; C.T.Saunders - PART 1: THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK - The Role of Competition in Economic Transition and Integration: Competition in the Process of Evolution and in a Supranational Setting; A.Bienaym - Competition in a Supranational Setting; C.Rouam - Comments on Part 1; J.Williamson, K.Laski & A.Bienaym - PART 2: THE ROLE OF COMPETITION IN THE TRANSITION OF CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO MARKET ECONOMIES, INCLUDING EMPIRICAL DEVELOPMENTS - The Role of Competition in Economic Transition of Central and East European Countries to Market Economies: Policies for Promoting Competition, Integration; G.Charrier - Japan's Postwar Industrial Policy (1945-1970) as a Model for the Development Process in Central European Countries; N.Maeda - Competition Policies in Czechoslovakia; S.Belehr dek - Developing Competition in a Transitional Economy: The Role of Foreign Competition and Financial Intermediation in the Case of Czechoslovakia; M.Hrncir - Promoting Competition in Hungary; P.Pog cs s & J.Stadler - Priorities in the Activities of the Antitrust Office in the Transition of the Economy; I.Flassik - Creating a Competitive Environment: The Case of Russia; R.Yevstigneev - The Role of Competition in Economic Transition and Integration: Privatisation, Market Structure and Competition. Progress Report on Croatia; R.Lang & D.Vojnic - Comments on Part 2; A.Inotai, J.G cs & D.K.Rosati - PART 3: COMPETITION POLICIES WITHIN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY - Institutional Prerequisites for Europe after 1992; D.G.Mayes - Competition Policy in a New International Framework. Observations from an Austrian Viewpoint; H.Kramer - Italian State-owned Enterprises: Some Lessons for Transition Economies; C.Boffito & A.Martinelli - List of Participants - Index