A collection of essays, by nine specialists in history, political science, law and economics, which examines how Russia's distinctive traditions of law and lawlessness are shaping the country's struggle for economic reform.

This book compares Russias legal tradition with the Western legal tradition; distinguishes Russias progress in commercial law reform from that of other transition countries; and explores the politics of government as well as inside enterprises surrounding corporate law reform in prerevolutionary Russia, during perestroika, and during Russias ambitious mass privatization program.Using comparative data, the authors assess the impact on economic reform programs of highly centralized presidential constitutions versus parliamentary constitutions. The enormous challenge posed by mounting crime and corruption is analyzed, and the economic causes and possible remedies are discussed. As statutory law reform is only one element in legal reform, the book also explores the functioning of legal institutions, including the police, other public security forces, and private dispute settlement institutions. Jeffrey Sachs and Katharina Pistor provide a wide range of factual evidence and interpretations, which will greatly enhance the debate about Russias path toward economic and legal reform. }

Introduction: Progress, Pitfalls, Scenarios, and Lost Opportunities
(Jeffrey D. Sachs and Katharina Pistor. )
Autocracy and the Rule of Law in Russian Economic History
(Thomas C. Owen. )
Russian Legal Tradition and the Rule of Law
(Michael Newcity. )
Constitutions and Economic Reform in the Post-Communist Transitions
(Joel S. Hellman. )
Economic Causes of Crime in Russia
(Anders slund. )
Police, Secret Police, and Civil Authority
(J. Michael Waller. )
Contracting in the Shadow of the State: Private Arbitration Commissions in Russia
(Timothy Frye. )
Developing Commercial Law in Transition Economies: Examples from Hungary and Russia
(Cheryl W. Gray and Kathryn Hendley. )
Company Law and Corporate Governance in Russia
(K. Pistor.)