editorial partner Liberte! Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Economy

Slovenia’s Privatisation Failure and Failure to Privatise
Economy
Slovenia’s Privatisation Failure and Failure to Privatise
The Slovenian experience with privatisation has been marked by two phenomena. First, the Slovenian State did not exit enough business – there was widespread failure to privatise. Second, the privatisation campaigns that were undertaken suffered from several severe problems – there was widespread privatisation failure. Both phenomena were related even though the precise relationship can be modelled in several ways.
Structural Unemployment in Bulgaria from 2007 Onward
Economy
Structural Unemployment in Bulgaria from 2007 Onward
2014 passed under the sign of decreasing unemployment and increasing employment in Bulgaria. Although a big part of the population still hasn’t felt the benefits of these favourable tendencies, they are not only present in the leading economic centres, but also in some of the smaller regions of the country.
Remembering the Lessons of Becker
Economy
Remembering the Lessons of Becker
For an average observer, the past month in the United States has been characterized by a frenzy of oppressive government legislation designed to infringe upon personal liberty. While this has been true for most of the Obama administration, the maelstrom, whipped up by the media, on this specific issue regards a minor law passed by the state of Indiana and not the federal government.
Is the Start-Up Strategy of the Slovak Government a Bad Joke?
Economy
Is the Start-Up Strategy of the Slovak Government a Bad Joke?
Is there a difference between a starting entrepreneur and a disabled person? Yes, there is, and it\'s a big one. A disabled person has much fewer options if he or she wants to get a government aid compared to a starting entrepreneur. I remembered this joke when I was reading one of the government strategies. But the joke may soon become a reality if the government decides to implement it. And that\'s not funny at all.
Ukraine 2016: Closer to Stabilization, Far Away From Growth
Economy
Ukraine 2016: Closer to Stabilization, Far Away From Growth
The economic situation in Ukraine in 2015 and 2016 will depend on progress in externally supported reform program and on stabilization in the Eastern Ukraine. Fiscal consolidation, decline in real wages and unemployment will cause reduction of real private consumption. Weak hryvnia, despite dragging down consumption and investments, helps to increase fiscal revenues and narrow the current account deficit.
Cash for Ukrainian Reforms
Economy
Cash for Ukrainian Reforms
In March, Ukraine’s government adopted the Action plan for reforms in 2015 and 2016 while the IMF board approved four-year USD 17.5 bn extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The EFF supports ambitious program of Ukrainian authorities, which would in IMF words ‘put the economy on the path to recovery, restore external sustainability, strengthen public finances, and support economic growth by advancing structural and governance reforms, while protecting the most vulnerable’.