POURQUOI LA RUSSIE N'A-T-ELLE PAS SUIVI LA VOIE POLONAISE ? QUELQUES LEÇONS POUR LES ÉCONOMISTES.

The differences between the Polish and the Russian transitions during the 1990s are reviewed in light of the economic theories applied to the reform process. Special attention is placed on how the historical and political background of reforms shaped this process. Theoretical explanations have failed to describe how political and institutional complementarities shape policy options. Conclusions are drawn for economic research. In particular, arranging countries according to the pace of reforms - shock therapy or gradualism - does not help us understand the transition experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]