ABSTRACT

First published in 1991, this book uses a property rights perspective to analyse why there is such widespread resistance to change in the Soviet Economic System. Many within the ruling stratum benefit considerably from their positions, particularly in terms of access to goods and services. In an original conclusion Jan Winiecki argues that a cost-effective way of removing the resistance of the parasitic ruling stratum would be a system of compensatory payments.

chapter 1|27 pages

Apparatchiks and bureaucrats

Main beneficiaries of status quo

chapter 4|20 pages

Softening the resistance to change

The buyout proposal