Editor's Introduction

Abstract

This issue of >i>Problems of Economic Transition>/i> continues our series on Russia's economic debate with an article by one of Russia's leading economists and political figures, Egor Gaidar. Gaidar's article, entitled "New Tasks: The Choice Is Ours," lays out in straightforward terms the fundamental inconsistencies of the current stage of reform in Russia and offers guidance on the direction that new, corrective policy should take. Underlying Gaidar's understanding of how best to secure Russia's progress toward a market democracy is the importance he attaches to economic growth. More specifically, Gaidar is concerned that not only has Russia generally grown poorer since achieving independence, but wealth differentialsâthat is, the gap between the haves and the have-notsâare growing, with a small share of the population amassing a very large share of the total national wealth. While Gaidar believes that the first priority must be to raise the overall level of economic activity, he also wants the wealth gap to be narrowed somewhat so as to broaden the base of support for continued change along market democratic lines.