that paper thing

for grading purposes, this will have been previously read for those of you with nothing to do, and which to hear about my discussion with Professor Hnát, read on Oral History: A Young Economists’ Perspective Pavel Hnát, was the man I chose to interview for our oral history bit. As it turns out a number of other characters from our dialogue had a similar idea, so there will likely be similar write-ups to come. Mr. Hnát lectured us on Monday, May 28th, particularly on the transformation of Czechoslovakia from a command economy, to a free market economy, and the subsequent discussion we had with him followed on this nicely. Pavel Hnát received his masters in International Trade, and a PhD in European Studies, today he is a professor of economics, and from what I could ascertain various sub-studies therein. He was eight years old at the time of the Velvet Revolution, Hnát admitted to us that he does not remember specific instances of the Revolution but he can certainly recall the palpable excitement of his parents and peers. Much of the after-lecture interview tied in neatly with the lecture itself, this may have been for our benefit, but I believe that this was because he has since framed the Revolution within his area of expertise, transition economics. Mr. Hnát focused on the necessity of the transformation in both his lecture and the discussion he had with us. He further broke down the way in which Czechoslovakia went about this transformation; via redefinition of the state, such as reorganization of the state organs, and its interaction with the rest of the world within the auspices of globalization, political transformation, namely liberalization, and most importantly for Pavel Hnát’s examples, the economic transformation. I got the feeling that Professor Hnát is an ardent neo-liberal economist, and I believe that this is integral to our understanding his understanding of the Czechoslovak transition to liberal democracy. He discussed the ideas of Shock Therapy and The Washington Consensus (both theories firmly in the neo-liberalist camp) at length, claiming that Czechoslovak successfully navigated their transition due to the appropriate implementation of these practices. His positive explanation of the restitution process, and the Voucher Privatization endeavors served as examples of why Czechoslovakia in contrast to its neighbors like Poland and Hungary, so quickly and less-painfully transformed itself into a free market economy. His stance was made more obvious to me through his discussion of the EU and its various other organs, he believes in the intra-EU free trade, and porous border, but as we found out later he also believes the EU is effectively a neo-mercantilist empire, pushing exports while limiting imports, and centrally controlling capital movement, and in the case of the Euro working to centralize currency decisions across a multi-state system. Hnát felt optimistic about the Czech Republic joining the EU, but was concurrently worried about the currency issues of the Euro itself, and its effect on the Czech economy. We also discussed the more personal aspects of this transition with Professor Hnát, even at his age, he was optimistic about the Revolution, and he said this was probably a result of his parents’ enthusiasm for change as well. He claims his family generally does not discuss politics, but ensures us that his parents and his views on the Revolution and subsequent transformation has been for the best, he did note that the divide would become more apparent with the generation before his parents. Mr. Hnát cited that his grandparents had more issue with the Revolution than he or his parents, namely because they “back in the day” chose communism voluntarily, and witnessed firsthand the fascism of the 1930s, and believed in the early rhetoric of the Communists. He went on to explain that while they still may be nostalgic for the promises of communism, and their distaste for sudden change, it has not been a significant issue dividing his family. His family faced significant economic difficulties at the time of transition, which he admits were attributed to the shock therapy undertaken by the new Czechoslovak government, however, he and his family certainly benefitted overall. He recalled the housing restitution system as being the most personal hardship to him and his friends. He says that he and his parents are most excited about the opportunities which have been opened by the Revolution. He is glad for not only the opportunities since afforded him, but also future generations; he gives his students as an example. Many of the students he teaches take at least a semester abroad, going all over the world to gain not only academic knowledge but the many experiences kids (like us!) garner through interaction with those different from ourselves. We asked after a few more comments on the EU, and Czech opinion on globalization, he said that though everyone will disparage the multinational corporations like IKEA and Tesco, but they still shop there (much like the Americans and Wal-Mart). Hnát also described to us the path by which he believes the Czech Republic will further succeed in the global community, namely the Czech government needs to invest in Hi-tech industries, as well as logistical and telecom development, noting that the Czech Republic has neither the populace, nor the resources to compete with the likes of China, or their more neighborly Ukraine or Poland. The interview was interesting, especially because I had had a glimpse into his professional life beforehand the discussion. Knowing that Pavel Hnát was an economist helped me to better understand the stories that he was telling as well the lenses through which he views the Revolution and subsequent transformation. I was very interested in everything he had to say, and I feel that I got a better interview out of him than I would have a “common” Czech citizen because of his background as an academic. That being said I recognize that he has a different viewpoint than many “lay” Czech people, he recognized the necessity of the shock therapy, he believed, as I do, that the five years of financial difficulty that resulted in following the Washington Consensus, were better than the continuing difficulties neighboring ex-Communist countries are facing to this day. Again I have to voice my appreciation for this assignment, the open ended nature of the project has helped us to make it our own, I know I got much more out of my interview than I would have had I been required to follow more stringent guidelines.