Well, yes and no. This is valid across 2 decades, not something that happened over 6 months after iron curtain fell. And in some way it continues till today, rule of law is still pretty weak for example and politicians often sidestep laws valid for everybody else. Thats really indefensible and completely on population, not some evil forces outside conspiring to harm.
Also, most corruption, or ie sale of factories worth billions for thousands/millions was mostly to local people, not outsiders.
> something that happened over 6 months after iron curtain fell
That's how you think it went, huh? Six months and every country and person got over the decades of communism like they never existed? Six month was just enough for the euphoria to wear off.
If reading a book gave you 1 million HN karma everyone would jump on it. Instead it just makes people more educated. Here, gift link [1], check out what did most countries manage to achieve before say June 1990.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutions_of_1989