Edward Elgar Publishing Social and Economic Transformation in East Central Europe: Institutions, Property Relations and Social Interests (Studies of Communism in Transition series)

Product Description This book focuses not only on economic and political transformation since the demise of communism in Eastern and Central Europe, but also on the relationships between economic organization, social patterns and institutional change. The changes in political structure and policies of economic reform have in turn resulted in changes in social institutions and patterns of social relations. The authors look at social relations under the old regimes to understand the current social transformation. They consider economic restructuring both in the context of social change and in terms of its consequences for society, using case studies from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. The impact of economic changes on new forms of institutional arrangements, social patterns and organization are also discussed taking into account privatization, employment, social welfare, property and industrial relations. This new book will be welcomed by economists, political scientists and sociologists working in the area of transition. Review 'This book is a thorough and insightful account of changes in social institutions and patterns of social relations resulting from political restructuring and economic reforms. This book is a valuable empirical addition to the historical-institutionalist perspective in analyzing post-communist transformation. I recommend it to academic scholars and students in economics, political science, sociology, and organizational behavior, as well as to others working in the area of post-communist transition and transformation. Furthermore, specialists on recent worldwide changes in industrial relations would be interested in Cox and Mason's through account of institutional change and adaptation.' -- Elena Iankova, Industrial and Labor Relations Review 'The book can be recommended to students as a complementary text which would lead them to think in a disciplined theoretical manner about the transition.'– Ludek Rychetnik, Europe-Asia Studies About the Author Terry Cox, Reader in Sociology, Department of Government, University of Strathclyde, UK and Bob Mason, Lecturer in Human Resource Management, University of Ulster, UK