From Stagnation to Forced Adjustment

Ever since Greece's 1974 transition to democracy, there has been constant talk of the need for system-wide political reform. Major changes in the country's economy, society, and population have forced Greek institutions and policies to become better aligned with those of more developed, West European countries. Yet there is still more work to be done. Some reforms -- such as the creation of the National Health Service, entry into the eurozone, the liberalization of banking practices, and the privatization of some business -- have succeeded. Others -- such as educational, pension, and civil service reforms -- reappear every now and then but largely remain elusive. The Greek malaise, widely felt and discussed in the country, has intensified the desire for more action. These efforts, however, have also prompted systematic resistance from organized interest groups, which in turn fuels a broadly perceived sense of inertia and stagnation, or at least truncated progress. This volume outlines the factors contributing to Greece's current political and economic crisis, critically engaging with three decades of stop-start reforms and the political and institutional consequences.