Economies in Transition

The world’s economy has gone through massive changes over the past quarter century or so. As we’ve analyzed them in this special issue of Canadian Dimension, these changes include the transition from state socialism to state capitalism in Russia and China and their incorporation into a world of global capitalism.

They also include the consolidation of neoliberal principles of privatization, deregulation, free trade and a weakening of the welfare state in every country across the globe; the emergence of a post-apartheid South Africa; the rise of a range of socialist governments in parts of South America; and a turn toward austerity throughout Europe as fallout from post-Great Recession deficits caused by governments attempts to avoid a great Depression.

This special issue reflects on the transitions of a number of countries around the world. Space permitting, we would have liked to include Brazil, Iceland, Indonesia and still other countries undergoing huge transitions in recent years. Let us know if you want us to devote a future issue on other economies in transition. The Transitions focus was co-edited by Greg Albo and Cy Gonick.