Against the backdrop of the financial crisis that unfolded in 2008, this book deals with policy challenges going forward, focusing in particular on the ongoing catching-up process in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries

The "third way" is a term often used by politicians and others to indicate a set of new policies adopted by former social democratic parties throughout the world. This book is an attempt to dissect the ideas and economic theory behind the rhetoric of the "third way" through a critical evaluation...

Over the past two decades there has been a prevailing shift in economic policy in many countries. This reflects the continuing rise of neo-liberalism--the doctrine that economic policy should "leave it to the market" and that governments should retreat from market intervention. This book...

Contents: Preface -- PART I A historic transformation: heterogeneity in CESEE in a changing global context -- 1 Looking back on 30 years of transition - and looking 30 years ahead / Robert Holzmann -- 2 1989: the year of the great ambivalence / Anton Pelinka -- 3 The price of unity: the...