Montenegro: The Challenges of a Newborn State

Mercatus Policy Series, Country Brief No. 2, February 2007

51 Pages Posted: 9 Sep 2008 Last revised: 22 Jun 2012

See all articles by Maja Drakic

Maja Drakic

University of Montenegro

Frederic Sautet

The Catholic University of America (CUA) - Busch School of Business

Kyle McKenzie

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: February 1, 2007

Abstract

After the peaceful passing of a referendum that dissolved the Union of Serbia and Montenegro in May 2006, people flocked to the streets to celebrate the establishment of Montenegro as a newly independent republic of about 630,000 people.

While still part of the union with Serbia, Montenegro had started an economic reform program. The reforms that have taken place have focused on stable monetary policy, protection of property rights, lowered barriers to trade, decreased business regulation, and equal rights for foreigners within the country.

The country is now at a crossroads. Montenegro can continue its reform process and tackle the big challenges ahead (including reforming its labor markets, public finance and public sector management, business regulations, and constitutional rules) or it can follow the path of many former socialist countries and eventually stifle the reforms. Most importantly, Montenegro must decide whether to join the European Union and whether to amend its constitution in order to protect its institutional reforms.

During this time, Montenegro can learn from other countries' experiences. The Estonian experience shows that following liberal reforms can have a significant positive impact on economic growth. The New Zealand case provides an instructive example of governmental discipline for a small and transitioning country.

Montenegro's small size puts it at an advantage to continue the liberal reforms it has already started and from which it has benefited. If it follows best practices in the reform process, the country can strengthen its institutional framework in order to foster entrepreneurial activity. Montenegro could become the first Mediterranean tiger and thereby inspire transitioning countries around the world.

Keywords: Montenegro, Economic Transition, Economic Reforms, Institutions, Independence, European Union

JEL Classification: H00, O1, P2, P3, P5

Suggested Citation

Drakic, Maja and Sautet, Frederic E. and McKenzie, Kyle, Montenegro: The Challenges of a Newborn State (February 1, 2007). Mercatus Policy Series, Country Brief No. 2, February 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1265606

Maja Drakic

University of Montenegro

Cetinjska br.2
Podgorica, 81 000
Montenegro

Frederic E. Sautet (Contact Author)

The Catholic University of America (CUA) - Busch School of Business ( email )

Maloney Hall
620 Michigan Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20064
United States

HOME PAGE: http://business.cua.edu/faculty/sautet.cfm

Kyle McKenzie

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
79
Abstract Views
870
Rank
555,299
PlumX Metrics