Transition economies in the Middle East: the Syrian experience. Issue 3 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alajaty, Mahmoud; Anchor, John R.
• Is Part Of: Post-communist economies. Volume 30:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 382
• Page End: 394
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Transition economies -- Syria -- the Middle East; Post-communism -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Russia (Federation) -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Europe, Eastern -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 330.91717
• DOI: 10.1080/14631377.2018.1442052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-1377

Abstract

Abstract: There have been no in-depth studies of the post-socialist transition in the Middle East. Syria's experience is a useful one to explore given its historically important role in the region and its distinctive characteristics. The Syrian economic transition, from the early 1990s to 2011, was in two phases: an incremental liberalisation phase and a transition to a social market economy phase. During both phases, Syrian policymakers showed a preference for a gradualist approach to economic transition, rather than a big-bang approach. This was facilitated by oil revenues and subsidies from the Gulf States. The Syrian experience therefore has its own distinct characteristics, as well as elements in common with the transitions in other post-socialist economies.