DP1017 The Political Economy of Trade Regimes in Central Europe

Author(s):	László Csaba
Publication Date:	October 1994
Keyword(s):	CEFTA, Central Europe, EU, Export Promotion, Free Trade, Liberalization, Lobbies, Protectionism, Sequencing, Transformation
JEL(s):	F13, F14, F15
Programme Areas:	International Trade and Regional Economics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=1017

This paper evaluates the robustness of trade liberalization in Central Europe and the role of the Europe Agreements (EAs) in institutionalizing this process. It finds a) that institutions are still fragile in Central Europe; b) that the EAs are not a great force for liberalism (on either side); and c) that there is a danger that trade policy will become submerged by other, apparently more important, issues. In this context abolition of governmental agencies with a stake in free trade is seen as a step in the wrong direction.