Ukraine at the Crossroads von Axel Siedenberg/Lutz Hoffmann

Axel Siedenberg, Lutz Hoffmann 1 The specificity of transformation in Ukraine When the Soviet empire collapsed in the very early 1990s, the new era that dawned was commonly given the name 'transformation', implying the systemic change from socialism towards some form of market economy. Almost ten years later, 'the' transformation process does not exist any more; instead, a whole variety of transformations are taking place in Eastern Europe and the CIS: Whereas some countries are heading towards EU membership (e. g. Poland), others are still pondering on what economic system to adopt (e. g. Russia) and yet others have rejected a market-oriented transformation outright (e. g. Belarus). Within this variety of transformations, Ukraine clearly stands out as a specific case: Whilst initially considered to be one of the stronger post-Soviet Republics, it descended into economic depression in 1992 and has hardly recovered since; on the other hand, once considered to be a potential centre of ethnic unrest and political instability, it has turned into a democratic, peaceful civil society that is firmly establishing itself within the new European and world order. This book takes a critical look at economic reform in Ukraine as compared to other East European and CIS countries. Our hypothesis is that Ukraine is going through a transformation process peculiar to itself, which can be traced at both macroeconomic and microeconomic level.

V. Yushchenko, T. Waigel: Prefaces.- A. Siedenberg, L. Hoffmann: Introduction.- Macroeconomic Issues: J. Odling-Smee, R. van Rooden: Growth in Ukraine - Lessons from Other Transition Countries.- O. Havrylyshyn, I. Izvorski, R. van Rooden: Growth in Transition Economies 1990-97: An Econometric Analysis with Application to Ukraine.- F. Möllers, A. Siedenberg: The Interplay Between Monetary Policy and Reform Policy in Ukraine - An Overview.- U. Thießen, L. Hoffmann: Principles for a Public Debt Strategy in Ukraine.- Discussion of Part I.- Institutional Reform: A. Sundakov: Transition Crisis: Is Crisis Management Delaying Transition?- I. Lunina, V. Vincentz: The Subsidisation of Enterprises in Ukraine.- A. Tübben: Special Economic Zones in Ukraine - A Means of Promoting Investment?- F. Möllers: Foreign Direct Investment in Ukraine - Experiences Taken from Reality.- U. Thießen: Reforming the Social Security System.- Discussion of Part II.- Financial Sector Reform: D. Gros, A. Steinherr: Banking Reforms in Eastern Europe with Special Reference to Ukraine.- F. Möllers: Development of the Ukranian Financial Sector: Proposals for Banking, Pension and Capital Market Reform.- Discussion of Part III.- Agriculture and Food Processing: G. Rasko: Restructuring Agriculture and Food Processing in Hungary.- U. Koester, L. Striewe: Huge Potential, Huge Losses - The Search for Ways Out of the Dilemma of Ukranian Agriculture.- S. von Cramon-Taubadel: The Market for Sugar in Ukraine: Past, Present and Future.- L. Striewe, S. von Cramon-Taubadel: Grain Production in Ukraine: Missed Opportunities and the Need for Immediate Action.- S. von Cramon-Taubadel: Guidelines for Agricultural Policy Making in Ukraine: What Can and Should the State Be Doing?- Discussion of Part IV.- Energy Sector Reform: L. Lovei, K. Skorik: Energy Sector Reform in Ukraine: Mid-term.- G. MacKerron: The England and Wales Electricity Experience - Lessons for Ukraine.- P. Opitz: Power Sector Reform in Russia - Failed Intentions: An Analysis of Measures Undertaken.- V. Vincentz, C. von Hirschhausen: Price Policies and Subsidies in the Energy Sector of Ukraine.- C. von Hirschhausen: Gas Sector Restructuring in Ukraine: Analysis of Import Dependence, Price Formation and Socio-Economic Effects.- Discussion of Part V.