Structural problems of the Lithuanian economy in the International division of labour

Abstract

The paper addresses the pivotal economic problem, which Lithuania faced after regaining its independence and entering the European economic space. This problem is concerned with the transition to quite a new and in many respects contrasting economic position that Lithuania obtains in this new space. In the economically and technologically underdeveloped Soviet Union Lithuania was in a rather favourable situation. It held the position of "a strong one among weak ones". Being economically much stronger than the majority of less developed regions of the former USSR, Lithuania used to attract "high-tech" investments. It was a preferable place for science-intensive investments. This shaped the structure of Lithuanian economy — it was a "leader economy", the structure dominated by science-intensive branches. [...]