Self-competition involves the development of ability and, hence, ex ante assessment of ability is uncertain. No such uncertainty surrounds the assessment of risk probability characterizing events such as floods and stock market crashes. Economics and Economists under Socialism Hans-J rgen Wagener pp. The paper results from interviewing among economists in Central and Eastern Europe. It shows an inside view of the profession under communism.
Results depend upon period and country.
Poland and Hungary did not lose contact with the West, while Russia and the GDR and also Czechoslovakia after 1968 isolated themselves completely. Russia had its planning theory. In the GDR strict political control and dogmatism led to sterility. Reform thinking grew in the 1980s, with the exception of the GDR and Russia. Filip Palda pp.