The economic model of Belarus under A. Lukashenka’s regime: emergence, functioning, social and political consequences 4035-SP-EMB-OG

Thematic blocks:
1. The emergence of the “Belarusian economic model”:
from rise to crisis (1991–2006)
2. Limited attempts at market reforms (2007–2015) and
stabilization based on market mechanisms
(2015–2020)
3. Renewed tightening of state control (since autumn
2020)
4. The state as the main actor in the Belarusian economy:
state ownership, central planning, and discrimination
against private businesses
5. State-organized informal practices
6. How entrepreneurs adapt to state-imposed informal
rules

Course coordinators

Aliaksandr Papko

Type of course

general courses

Learning outcomes

It is expected that after completing the series of lectures, the student will be able to:

1. identify the basic features of the economic model created during the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenka;
2. describe the main stages of its development;
3. explain the impact of the economic system on the structure of Belarusian society;
4. define the basic concepts of neo-institutional theory: institution, formal and informal institutions, extractive and inclusive institutions, and the causes of the emergence of informal institutions;
5. list the informal institutions created by the Belarusian authorities to extract resources from the private sector.

Assessment criteria

Student participation during classes and the grade from the final oral exam.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: