ABSTRACT
The post-socialist countries of Central Europe have begun their economic, political and social transformation with a heavy burden of socialist heritage. This heritage was not entirely of a negative character. Obsolete production structures, relatively underdeveloped technical infrastructure, low level of technological, organisational and managerial advancement, and closeness of economies could be mentioned as the most important negative features. However, these countries have demonstrated a relatively well educated – though to a great extent demoralised – labour force, a higher level of social security and development of social infrastructure than could have been ascertained only from the ‘pure’ level of economic development.
