ABSTRACT
The transformation of the post-socialist system is a comprehensive structural changeover from a Soviet-type society to a capitalist market economy. The stages in the process of transformation also involve various contradictions. From a rural perspective, the conditions of adaptation are somewhat different for agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises. The industrial transition has in fact led to de-industrialization, redundancies and wage arrears far more often than to technological restructuring, increased effectiveness, new jobs and higher wages. On the whole, the establishment of adequate institutional regulation and support systems and the development of special regional policy programmes is the most central and topical task in all the Baltic countries. The research results indicate that the decollectivization policy pursued has clearly been decisive from the point of view of the final outcome does not necessarily meet the political goals originally set out. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book.
