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Since the fall of the Bretton Woods institutions, economists believed that the "market first" approach may solve all the problems of struggling economies. It seemed that the whole world acknowledged the liberal approach's victory. However, as time went on, it became obvious that the neoliberalist approach did not work well for all the countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Some of them adopted a different approach to addressing the economic problems. Furthermore, the World Financial Crisis in 2008, Russia's war against Ukraine, and subsequent sanctions in 2014 and 2022 changed the whole post-Soviet economic environment. Current developments in economic transformations will represent a third component of the course (after socialism and transformations in the 1990s).
The course is primarily aimed at non-economists. Its main purpose is to provide students with an understanding of the political economy of developments in the post-Soviet space and the debates surrounding the transformation process. Compared with purely economic science courses, the course covers a broader field of changing political-economic systems. When did the transformation begin? What were the main differences between Central Europe and the post-Soviet space? Why did the transformation evolve to a semi-failed state in Ukraine, an authoritarian state in Russia, or full dictatorships in Central Asia? What was the role of initial conditions? Is there any "right" approach that is universal to all countries? Why can't economic science agree on one single approach? The course is open only for students of master's degree programmes. Last update: Hrubá Kateřina, Mgr. (28.01.2026)
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The course aims to present the political economy of economic transformations in the post-Soviet region in a way accessible to non-economists. It provides students with an overview of debates surrounding these transformations. After this course, students should be accustomed to the economic transition theories applied to the area's political situation. Furthermore, it helps to understand the current political economy of the post-Soviet area, (de)globalization, and (de)integration. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)
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Students must fulfill all parts of the evaluation at 50% or more. According to the Dean's provision, the teacher evaluates the student's performance in the percentages assigned to grades A to F (https://fsv.cuni.cz/opatreni-dekanky-c-20/2019):
Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)
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The readings for each class will be available through Moodle: https://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=3966 Obligatory readings: Myant M.; Drahokoupil J., Transition Economies: Political Economy in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010 Aslund A., How capitalism was built: the transformation of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Additional: Aslund A., Russia's capitalist revolution: why market reform succeeded and democracy failed?, Washington: Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2007. Gevorkyan A. W., Transition Economies, Routledge 2021. Gelʹman, Vladimir, O. Marganii︠a︡, and Dmitriĭ Travin. 2014. Reexamining economic and political reforms in Russia, 1985-2000: generations, ideas, and changes. New York: Lexington Books. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)
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List of presentations. The topics may be expanded based on the number of students. Note that test questions may be based on the presentations!
The course is taught in person in Jinonice B318 The classes combine lecture and seminar approaches. Students are welcome to make their remarks, ask questions, and present their views. All readings are accessible through moodle https://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=3966 Use of generative AI tools: The use and citation of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or MS Copilot) in seminar papers and other coursework must comply with the decrees of the IMS Director No. 7/2023 and 9/2023. Generative AI tools may be used unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor. However, they may not be used to generate substantial sections of the text or replace the student’s own intellectual contribution. The student remains fully responsible for any content generated with assistance of AI tools. Presenting AI-generated content, whether verbatim, rephrased, or only slightly modified, as one’s own work constitutes plagiarism. Every submitted paper must include a transparent statement specifying which generative AI tools were used, in which stage of the work they were employed, and how they were used, or confirming that no generative AI tools were used. If this statement is missing or incomplete, the instructor is not permitted to accept the paper for evaluation. Unless the instructor explicitly prohibits the use of generative AI tools, the decision to use or not to use them rests fully with the student. The student has the right to request that the instructor does not use AI assistance for evaluating their work. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (26.01.2026)
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Requirements: Activity in the class
Tests: test concluding each part (Socialist economy, transformation, current affairs) - multiple-choice based. A book review - students may select the book based on their own preference (sociology, economy, political economy etc.)
Assessment: 10% activity in the class (class reading) - ability to answer the questions and formulate own view, based on readings 60% tests (20 percent each) - 20.3., 17.4. and 29.5. (other terms will be specified) 30% presentation - the ability to formulate the topic and present it.
(A) 100 - 91% (B) 90 - 80% (C) 79- 70% (D) 69-60 (E) 59-50 (F) less than 50%
Note on plagiarism: Students should follow the rules of academic conduct. Any instance of plagiarism will be immediately delivered to the Disciplinary Commission for further decision. Please consult with the lecturer about any uncertainties before you submit your paper.
Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (25.03.2026)
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Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.02.2026)
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The course is open only to students of master's degree programmes. Bachelor's degree students will be automatically deregistered. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.02.2026)
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