ESTONIA: Almost extinguished, successfully reborn

ESTONIA:
Almost
extinguished,
successfully
reborn
prepared and a leadership determined to carry out the
reforms.
A closer examination of Central and Eastern European
experiences shows no link between the type of
economic reform program introduced and the intensity
of social protest. One can even state that prolonging the
timetable of necessary reforms can meet with serious
discontent while rapidly passed equivalent measures
will be accepted by the general public without serious
problems. Therefore, the right decisions taken at the
right time can provide countries with advantages and
guarantee greater satisfaction of the electorate due to
tangible economic progress. Usually, the window of
opportunity for fundamental reforms is limited, giving
way to the “normal” politics of contending parties and
interest groups.
A major readjustment of attitudes, too, is essential
to avoid remaining in the trap of the post-communist
predicament, which would strongly limit the establishing
of a functioning free market economy under the
rule of law and transparency. In the era of Sovietimposed
socialism people were not used to thinking by
themselves, initiating changes or taking personal risks.
A significant portion of the population had to be shaken
free of the inherited totalitarian mentality that somebody
else will take responsibility and solve their problems.
Therefore, it was necessary to energise people, to get
them moving, to motivate them for decision-making and
taking responsibility.
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