erc/metu
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ECONOMICS  IV
September 13-16, 2000, Ankara

Transition in Caucasus and Central Asia: From Disintegration to Globalization

Fatma Doğruel (Marmara University)
A. Suut Doğruel (Marmara University)

Abstract

The study intents to scrutinize the disintegration process of the former Soviet Union republics in the Caucasus and in the Central Asia. The republics are Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the Central Asia. Considering the other transition economies, these republics are the examples that have relatively unfavorable initial conditions in terms of factor endowment, political stability and geographical placement. Studies on the transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe focuses on economic stabilization and structural reforms. However, if we take the transition from centrally planned economy to the market economy as a disintegration process of the former Soviet Union, the initial conditions have to be considered as the key factors in addition the use of proper policy tools. Therefore, the paper treats the experiences of these republics as a path from the initial conditions to integration into the world economy which is shaped by the stabilization policies and structural reforms.

Economic Research Center
Middle East Technical University
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