Albania in Crisis

Book excerpt: Presents an analysis of factors behind the 1997 political, economic, and social crisis in Albania. Shows that the crisis was both predictable and complex, and not simply a matter of a disgruntled population attempting to regain their money. Identifies major reasons for the crisis, such as increasing unemployment, the collapse of industrial production, and the failure of mass privatization. Examines the consequences of the crisis at the enterprise level by region, sector, industry, and property form, using information from a survey of some 1,000 enterprises, and offers policy recommendations. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR