This book deals with the transformation of the Polishcentrally-planned system to a western-type market system.Poland represents the most interesting case to study as itruns an unprecedentedly radical and fast course of reform.The book provides insights in the theoretical foundationsof the transformation of an economic system as well as acritical assessment of first experiences in Poland. As theauthors develop theoretical approaches as well as study theempirical situation, thebook offers valuable insights bothto the reader who is rather theoreticallyinterested and toa pragmatically orientated audience. One of the mainfeatures of the book is the broad variety of the subjectschosen for analysis and of the respective approaches takenby the authors who mostly specialize in the fields theyworked on for this book.