The aim of this study is to clarify, whether and where the widespread opinion that systemic
change from socialism to capitalism went along with dramatically rising inequality is true and
how income distribution does affect the overall growth performance of transition countries.
The countries under review are: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Russia. The
findings are analysed against the background of convergence or divergence respectively vis-
à-vis the European Union (EU) level of income and income distribution. Here Germany …

The aim of this study is to clarify, whether and where the widespread opinion that systemic
change from socialism to capitalism went along with dramatically rising inequality is true and
how income distribution does affect the overall growth performance of transition countries.
The countries under review are: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. The
findings are analyzed against the background of convergence or divergence respectively vis-
à-vis the European Union (EU) level of income and income distribution. Here Germany …