The transition process in which a country moves from a planned economy to a market economy offers a unique opportunity for economists and policymakers to observe and understand the effects of major institutional, legal, and political changes on economic systems. But one feature of the process...

This group of essays examines the ongoing economic struggles experienced by former Soviet-bloc countries as they attempt to establish market-based economies.

The three major themes of János Kornai's work reflected in the title of this book--planning, shortage, and transition, or transformation--figure prominently in the essays. After a philosophical introduction by Edmond Malinvaud, the book is divided into three sections: Markets and Organizations,...