The Political Economy of Independent Ukraine analyses the reasons for the abysmal economic performance of Ukraine during the 1990s. The main thesis is that economic development was blocked by a set of parasitic mechanisms at all levels of the economy that prevented the development of value-added economic activities. These parasitic mechanisms already developed under Soviet rule ('beating the system' by redistributing goods and services while disregarding formal rules) became a widespread practice.

Russia's Development Problem

by H. van Zon

Published 31 October 2008
This book explores the operating mechanisms of the Russian economy in a comparative perspective, and offers fascinating insights into how a socio-economic infrastructure has been created which continues to exert an influence on modern-day Russia and limits its development.