09982. ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF POLITICAL CHANGES IN EASTERN EUROPE. Considers the components and ramifications of Eastern Europe's transformation to a market economy after years of Communist domination and reliance on central planning. Argues that initially wages will drop, unemployment will rise, and businesses will fail but that in the long run, the natural forces of the open market will result in gains for the economy and the overall standard of living. 10 pages, 6 footnotes, 5 bibliographic sources.