Privatization Is Transition—Or Is It?

Abstract

Various means of creating a private sector have been used in transition economies, including restitution, privatization of state firms through sales or voucher schemes, and start-ups of new private firms. The privatization of state-owned firms raises questions regarding the viability of future corporate governance but, in combination with economic liberalization, it has induced state-owned firms to react to their new environment. Differences in the extent of privatization among countries reflect largely differences in the privatization of state-owned firms. Qualitative differences reflect differences in who the new owners of these firms are.