The Grand Experiment
Debating Shock Therapy, Transition Theory, And The East German Experience
1st Edition
Published on 3. April 1997
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-8133-2980-2 (ISBN)
Description
This unique volume offers a wide-ranging debate on fundamental issues of economic transformation. The two authors present their contrasting views on the singularity and the comparative significance of the East German case; the theoretical lessons of shock therapy and holistic policy approaches; democratic, corporatist, and authoritarian governing structures in the reform process; and the role of myth and ideology in social change. }This unique volume offers a wide-ranging debate on fundamental issues of economic transformation. The two authors present their contrasting views on the singularity and the comparative significance of the East German case; the theoretical lessons of shock therapy and holistic policy approaches; democratic, corporatist, and authoritarian governing structures in the reform process; and the role of myth and ideology in social change. Developing competing as well as complementary positions on problems of transformation, the authors advance our understanding of the conditions under which modern societies can be fundamentally restructured by design. }
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-8133-2980-2 (9780813329802)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Introduction: Postcommunist Transformation and the Problem of Systemic Reform (Andreas Pickel and Helmut Wiesenthal) * The Exceptional Nature Vs. The Comparative Significance Of The East German Case Crash into Modernity: Eastern European Transformation and the Special Case of the GDR (H. Wiesenthal) East Germany and Comparative Transformation Research (A. Pickel) East Germany as a Unique Case of Societal Transformation: Main Characteristics and Emergent Misconceptions (H. Wiesenthal) * Economic Transformation And Social Science Theory: For And Against Holistic Policy Approaches Jump-Starting a Market Economy: A Critique of the Radical Strategy of Economic Reform (A. Pickel) The Crisis of Holistic Policy Approaches and the Project of Controlled System Transformation (H. Wiesenthal) The Jump-Started Economy and the Ready-Made State: Theoretical Lessons of the East German Case (A. Pickel) * Political Regimes And Organized Interests: Democracy, Corporatism, And Authoritarianism Authoritarianism or Democracy? Marketization as a Political Problem (A. Pickel) Interest Associates as Actors of Transformation in East-Central Europe and East Germany (H. Wiesenthal) * Myth And Ideology In Economic Transformation Unification Myths: Cognitive Coping Strategies in the Transformation of East Germany (H. Wiesenthal) Official Ideology? The Role of Neoliberal Reform Doctrines in Postcommunist Transformation (A. Pickel) Conclusion (A. Pickel and H. Wiesenthal)