In 1990 the privatisation debate in the ex-socialist countries advanced considerably. By now, the fundamental importance of private property for a market economy and the pitfalls of employee-ownership schemes are rarely disputed. Instead, the need for rapid privatisation and suitable methods of...

Privatizing government enterprises is one of the most difficult tasks in the transformation process taking place in the former socialist economies. What contribution do management buy-outs have to make in coping with that task?

When the Soviet Union was broken up at the end of 1991, the Russian Federation inherited a large industrial sector which was, however, hardly capable of surviving under market conditions. At about the same time market oriented reforms were begun. What has been accomplished so far? What are the...

The existence of adequate numbers of self-employed persons is regarded as crucial for effective competition. The decline of self-employment which could be registered in all the Western industrialized countries has therefore given rise to concern. This article analyses the corresponding trends...

The provision of assistance in the privatisation process is a key element of Western technical aid for Russia. The first part of this article describes the influence the largest Western donors have in Russia and the activities they have performed in connection with the provision of privatisation...