The transition from Communism to the European Union. Restructuring Romanian industry and agriculture since 1990

Abstract:
This book demonstrates a broadly successful transformation process that has been limited by challenging political, economic and social constraints. David Turnock traces the complex issues that have influenced Romania’s reform and restructuring programme since the revolution at the end of 1989.

The Transition from Communism to the European Union provides an overview of economic change in Romania, and studies in detail the transformation in industry, energy and agriculture, drawing on fieldwork in all parts of the country. The monitoring of the economic press throughout the post-communist period has also yielded much source material. Although the political context is examined at some length, the prime consideration is economic restructuring, involving the establishment of a free market system after decades of government control through central planning. It is made clear that the process is still not complete since global competitiveness remains a major challenge now that many people are beginning to experience a degree of prosperity.

The book will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of regional economics and post-communism, as well as readers with a general interest in Romania, the Balkans or the EU.

Contents:
1. The Political Context: A Chronological Review
2. Economic Restructuring, Investment and the Labour Market
3. Restructuring Heavy Industry: Mining and Metallurgy
4. Engineering and Transport Equipment
5. The Automotive and Aerospace Industries
6. A Traditional Growth Industry: Food, Drink and Tobacco
7. The Energy Complex: Maximising Efficiency and Self-Sufficiency
8. Agriculture: The Political Imperative for Restitution