This book examines, theoretically and empirically, the key aspects and differences of economic growth. It provides a comprehensive investigation of the numerous features of development in transition countries, covering the last two decades, from the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 to the current financial crisis.Foreword; J.Holscher Reflections on Progress in the Transition; B.Schm?gnerova Introduction; E.Marelli ?& M.Signorelli Economic Growth and Structural Features of Transition: Theoretical Framework and General Overview; E.Marelli& M.Signorelli PART I: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Governance, Institutions and Growth: Empirical Lessons from the Post-Communist Transition; C.J.Gerry, J.Lee ?& T.M.Mickiewicz Human Capital and Social Capital as Interacting Factors of Economic Development; A.Kaasa ?& E.Parts Productivity, Employment and Human Capital in Eastern and Western EU countries; E.Marelli & M.Signorelli Trade-off between Productivity and Employment in Transition Countries: An International Comparison; M.T.Choudhry ?& B.Ark PART II: STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND REGIONAL PERFORMANCE Sectoral Structure and Productivity in the EU: New Member States' Adjustment to Structural Transformation; T.Paas, J.Sepp & N.J.Scannell The Emerging Economic Geography Setting in New EU Member States: A Comparative Account of Regional Industrial Performance and Adjustment; D.Kallioras, G.Petrakos & M.Tsiapa Is European Trade Integration Completed? Perspectives for CEE Countries; F.Festoc-Louis ?& N.Roudaut PART III: INCOME INEQUALITY AND LABOUR MARKET EVOLUTION Is Kuznets Hypothesis Valid for Transitional Countries?; O.Demidova Perceived Job Security in Transition Countries:A Comparative Perspective; M.Facchinetti ?& F.Origo Unemployment Convergence in Transition; J.Tyrowicz & P.Wojcik Structural Change and Regional Labour Market Imbalances in Transition; F.E.Caroleo? & F.Pastore Youth Unemployment in Transition Countries and Regions; C.Pl3Ã