This edited volume examines the development path of eight Central and Eastern European
countries with an overlapping historical background that joined the European Union
between 2004 and 2013, and identifies the main similarities and differences between
the countries concerned.
Based on wide comparative data analysis of Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech Republic,
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, each chapter in the volume provides
detailed information about the state of the economy in a specific area preceding the
pandemic shock. The book offers a detailed snapshot of the state of the different
areas of the economy, starting from the time when the countries concerned came out
of the 2008 financial crisis, up to the date when COVID-19 hit. Further, each chapter
analyzes the effects of this unprecedented shock on a particular field, which is followed
by highlighting the main problems the countries are facing at present and in the near
future, together with identifying the available policy options. Finally, before concluding
and making general and country-specific policy recommendations, some thoughts will
be given to longer-term prospects. More specifically, the question of how the subject
area could contribute to avoiding the "middle-income-trap" that this region may be
facing will be addressed.
The comprehensive approach makes this volume a must-read for scholars and students
of economics, as well as policy decision-makers in Europe, interested in a better
understanding of the region's economic development.