La réforme économique radicale en Russie : bilan de la première étape

Abstract

Radical economic reform in Russia : an assessment of the first stage. Since 1985, there has been a succession of economic reforms in Russia, from straightforward repair of the traditional system to programmes of a distinctly more ambitious nature. As a result of indecisiveness on the part of the authorities, and the drive for independence on the part of the federated republics, hope for a comprehensive economic reform in the USSR have evaporated. In all, these various attempts brought about a noticeable deterioration in the situation, and it was only after the coup was averted, in August 1991, that it became possible to introduce real changes. The most radical reform was initiated in Russia. Currency stabilization was the first aim of the programme adopted by the Russian government in December 1991. After describing the three aspects of the programme (liberalization of prices, balancing the budget, and a restrictive financial policy), the author criticizes its implementation, and takes a somewhat pessimistic view. He has similar reservations about the reorganization of the country's economic structures which, as far as the Russian authorities were concerned, was confined to privatization, increasing the efficiency of State enterprises, and the setting up of new private firms. The author, in his conclusion, speculates about the contradictions and perspectives of the reform, and considers that the chances for the development of a western-style economy in Russia are highly uncertain.