The Eastern Enlargement of the EU, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2001

The Eastern Enlargement of the EU identifies the major fiscal challenges facing Central European countries on the road to European Union accession. The Introduction and three other chapters are on broad macro-economic issues, and four `sectoral' chapters follow these on such questions as the fiscal impact of pensions, health reform, taxation and agricultural policies. A comprehensive analysis of tax systems and of the major elements of public social expenditures (pensions and health care systems) is presented. This analysis helps to identify the key factors determining the present size of governments and the need for, and prospects of, fiscal adjustment. In addition, a comparison of fiscal policy is carried out, followed by a long-term fiscal projection until year 2010.
The book is relevant to academics in macroeconomics, European studies and transition economics, as well as in public finance and public policy sciences. It should also appeal to a significant professional audience. Policy makers and economists interested in the accession process in EU countries - at ministries, National Banks, research departments of banks, international organizations (the EU Commission, World Bank, IMF, OECD) - will have a strong interest in this book.

List of Figures. List of Tables. Contributors. Acknowledgements. 1. Macroeconomic and Fiscal Challenges During the EU Accession Process: An Overview; M. Dabrowski. 2. The Approach to EU and EMU Membership: The Implication for Macroeconomic Policy in the Applicant Countries; J. Rostowski. 3. Public Debt and Fiscal Adjustment in Selected Transition Economies: Structure, Dynamics and Possible Development Paths for the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania; M. Gorzelak, W. Maliszewski, J. Siwinska. 4. Evaluating Government Policy in Transition Countries; M. Gillman. 5. A Great Leap Forward? Pension Developments and Reforms in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania; S. Gomulka. 6. Searching for the Laffer Curve in Transition Economies; M. Walewski. 7. A Looming Financial Crisis in the Czech Republic? O. Schneider, P. Stepanek. 8. From Transition to Accession - Agriculture in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland and the Common Agricultural Policy; K. Zawalinska. 9. The Fiscal Impact of Health Care Reforms in Central Europe; P. Mihalyi, R. Petru. Index.