How good or bad was the Romanian strategy of transition

• Main Author: Cătălin Zamfir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Expert Projects 2021-05-01
• Series: Sociologie Românească
• Subjects: Transition; Social and economic development; New model of society; Quality of life; Poverty; Welfare policy
• Online Access: https://arsociologie.ro/revistasociologieromaneasca/sr/article/view/1713

Romania’s performances over the past 30 years are not impressive. The economy displays dramatic crises and modest increases, though there were years of important growth. The country faces unsolved chronic crises: agriculture and industry are in a state of confusion, lacking a strategic vision; underdeveloped public functions are facing severe social issues. Demographic decline, underemployment, and poverty are far from being significantly reduced. Also, the political factor, supposed to be the engine of development, seems to be locked in conflicts for power that express actually the lack of vision. The article argues that more than ever, Romania is at a crossroads. We enter inevitably into a new stage of our history. We might continue on the path we engaged on up to now, but the future does not seem by far the one we wish for. Or, we need rather to disengage from the process that kept us in a bottleneck and put forward a new vision, new options, and democratic-led decisions. In brief, a program for the social and economic development of the country. The article concludes that in order to surpass the current crisis a new model of social-economic development of the country should be enhanced, ensuring prosperity for the whole population.