The 'Secret' of Poland's Success
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704375604575022863718985470.html
Poland is the only country in Europe to have come through 2009 without recession. What is more, growth was about 1.5%, which is the trend rate of the euro-zone countries, though well below Poland's own potential. How can we account for Poland's success, and what lessons should we draw from it?
Several factors account for the country's performance: strong institutions, a resilient economic structure, and well designed economic policy during the crisis. High levels of trust in the government ensured that statements by politicians about the strength of economic fundamentals and of the financial system were believed. This trust was partly based on the success of Poland's institutions and economy over the last 20 years, during which time the country has had the highest sustained growth in the region-real GDP has doubled over this period, while increasing only 70% in Slovakia, 45% in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Estonia, and not increasing at all in Russia and Bulgaria.
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704375604575022863718985470.html
Poland is the only country in Europe to have come through 2009 without recession. What is more, growth was about 1.5%, which is the trend rate of the euro-zone countries, though well below Poland's own potential. How can we account for Poland's success, and what lessons should we draw from it?
Several factors account for the country's performance: strong institutions, a resilient economic structure, and well designed economic policy during the crisis. High levels of trust in the government ensured that statements by politicians about the strength of economic fundamentals and of the financial system were believed. This trust was partly based on the success of Poland's institutions and economy over the last 20 years, during which time the country has had the highest sustained growth in the region-real GDP has doubled over this period, while increasing only 70% in Slovakia, 45% in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Estonia, and not increasing at all in Russia and Bulgaria.