“Our Real Educated People:” Neoliberalism and Syria’s New Elites
This article summarizes how over a decade of economic liberalization resulted in increased socio-economic stratificaiton in Syria.  It then considers how that stratification has impacted Syria's current conflict.
Changing regime discourse and reform in Syria
1. Introduction: Changing Discourse under the Ba’th Raymond Hinnebusch 2. Ideology And Discourse in the Era of Ba’thist Reforms: Towards an Analysis of Authoritarian Governmentality Aurora Sottimano 3. It’s the Mentality, Stupid: Syria’s Turn to the Private Sector Kjetil Selvik
Transition to a market economy and sustained growth. Implications for the post-Washington consensus
Abstract Transition to a market economy is a lengthy process comprised of various spheres of economic activities. The belief that a market economy can be introduced by “shock therapy” is wrong, and in several cases has caused more problems than it has solved. Since a market economy requires adequate institutional structures, transition can be executed only in a gradual manner. Despite the fact that so-called Washington consensus, i.e. a set of policies aiming to shift from stabilization to growth, was developed without concern for post-socialist transformation, these ideas have significantly influenced the path of thought and action in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. After a decade of transition and lasting depression, a new, post-Washington consensus is developing. Major policy conclusions suggest that the core of emerging consensus, also based on the lessons from transitions, is institutional building. Only with strong institutions can liberalization and privatization put emerging post-socialist markets on the path of sustainable growth. Yet, to accomplish such a task the policy reforms must also take into consideration the need for equitable growth and the new role of the state. The latter must not retire from economic activities, but ought to change its role to support the reforms and integration of the post-socialist countries into the world economy in the era of globalization, of which the post-communist transition is an important part.