In this column, John Sullivan and I talk about Robin Hood economics in Georgia. Although the recent change of government has been hailed as a victory of democracy in this country, reform is proving to be a bit more difficult than many originally envisioned. Despite some reform successes, many in the Georgian business community are unhappy with the pace of reform and the government’s approach to implementing it. Robin Hood economics refers to the tactics used by the Georgian government.
In Georgia After the Rose Revolution: An Opportunity Lost? Devi Khechinashvili talks in more detail about the measures government has taken to exert more influence over the economy and civil society, rather than create an operating environment that is based on economic and political freedom.
The future of reform in Georgia and other countries in the region was discussed recently at a conference put together by the Cato Institute, the New Economic School of Georgia, the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, CIPE, and other institutes in Tbilisi, Georgia. More information about the event is available here. A few very interesting papers presented at the event (by Boris Begovic, Lajos Bokros, Johan Norberg, Ján Oravec, and others) are available here.
Published Date: November 09, 2006