The Asian road to the market has generally been seen as a model of success and the object of widespread admiration. This volume evaluates the actual experience and debunks some of the most widespread myths. It does so by identifying the link between alternative transition models, public policies and household responses on the one hand, and key welfare changes on the other. Even in countries experiencing sustained growth, there have been unmistakable signs of deep social strain.

'The issues discussed in this book are most important and timely, with some essential lessons for balancing in the transition process to limit the (hopefully temporary) loss of welfare. I feel that these lessons can be carried over to South Asia, and especially Nepal, presently in a process of transition. Given the important and timely issues of the book, I recommend this publication.' - Nephil Matangi Maskay, General Secretary, Nepal Health Economics Association

List of Tables
List of Figures
Notes on the Contributors
Foreword
PART I: INTRODUCTION
Well-Being During the Transition in Asia; M.F.Montes & A.Lu
PART II: WELFARE TRENDS IN KEY SECTORS
Provision of Health Care and Education in Transitional Asia: Key Issues and Lessons from Vietnam; P.Glewwe & J.Litvack
Labour Markets in Asian Transition Economies; A.Lu & P.Verme
PART III: COUNTRY STUDIES
CHINA AND VIETNAM
Economic Reforms and Welfare Changes in China; A.Lu
Poverty Alleviation During the Transition in China; Z.Ling
Economic Reform and Welfare in Vietnam; K.Jansen
CENTRAL AISAN REPUBLICS (CARs)
Poverty and Economic Transition in Kazakhstan; M.Murthi, M.Pradhan & K.Scott
Gradual Economic Reform and Well-Being in Uzbekistan; R.Pomfret & K.Anderson
OTHER ASIAN TRANSITION ECONOMIES (ATEs)
Mongolia: The Welfare Impact of Marketization; S.Lhagva
Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Structure of the Welfare System and Expected Impact of Marketization; D.Lee
PART IV: POLICY CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Sustaining Welfare During the Transition: Lessons from Asia; A.Lu & M.F.Montes
Index

AIGUO LU is Senior Fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing. She is the author of China and the Global Economy since 1840.

MANUEL F. MONTES is Programme Officer at the Ford Foundation in New York and was formerly Coordinator of Economics Studies at the East-West Centre, Hawaii.