New Book on the Progress of Capitalism in CEE

The fall of Soviet Union over 20 years ago ushered in new political and economic ideologies and institutions to its former states, places where “many scholars doubted that the seeds of capitalist democracy would ever take root,” said CEU Professor of International Relations and European Studies Bela Greskovits. However, capitalism in different forms did emerge and Greskovits and his colleague, CEU Associate Professor of Political Science Dorothee Bohle, have been researching its progress – which has been precarious at times – in 11 of the 20 former communist countries that transformed after the Soviet collapse. The results of their research will be published in the upcoming book titled Capitalist Diversity on Europe’s Periphery.

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How to Save Greece?

So you are one of those who think that no good can come out of austerity? Or else, you think that 'sound' macroeconomic policies are the way to go? Well, design your own plan for saving Greece here. Maybe that'll help...

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14 Ways an Economist Says 'I Love You'

A rather nerdy take on Valentine's Day... or as the authors claim: "expectation management, the key to a long and happy relationship". If, however, it doesn't work out, charts demonstrating your inelastic demand and natural monopoly notwithstanding, you can still ponder about the 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover...

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Rating the Rating Agencies

Rating agencies remain in the spotlight and they seemingly can never make anyone happy: when they junk or downgrade countries, it obviously hurts, when they fail to do just that, they get blamed for not warning the world to the looming economic crisis. A recent commentary in the Financial Times (and the above illustration) is clearly pointing the finger at them.

PERG, however, had the privilege to listen to a more nuanced take: Zsofia Barta (EUI) presented her research on how rating agencies determine the creditworthiness of a country. More details on the PERG website.

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On Kiev's Black Money Markets

PERG's very own Vera Asenova discovers how restricted markets can still lead to an increase in Pareto efficiency... well, through the good old black market. Read more about her money exchange adventures in Kiev, Ukraine on her blog.

(Reuters) People waiting for Vera to approach them with euros, in front of a Kiev exchange.

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Animated Capitalism

CUNY professor, David Harvey's Marxist-inspired take on 'Crises of Capitalism'.



Slovenian philosopher and critical theorist, Slavoj Zizek's illustrated lecture on 'Capitalism and Charity' and why he thinks George Soros is old fashioned.

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'TED Eye-Opening' Talks for PolSci Students

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design), is now offering what they call '12 Eye-Opening TED Talks for Political Science Students' on their website on varied topics, including sub-Saharan Africa, voter apathy, and ethnic conflicts. You can also find economics and development related talks, amongst many others, on their website. TED was launched as a conference series in 1984 and is commited to spreading ideas.

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