I analyse the relevant literature particularly relating to complex economic systems and the elements that comprise them. The main complexity characteristics are identified through this paper and applied in the context of the Macedonian transition economy. The choice of context is based on two reasons. The first one relates to the IMF’s frequent emphasis on Macedonia’s transition as a success story. The second reason relates to the prolonged transition escalating into the most serious economic and political crisis that the country has experienced recently (EUROPP, 2016). It seems confusing that such a successful transitional economy in the 90’s, after nearly three decades of reforms, could not reach economic and political stability.

Therefore, I am looking at the role of the IMF during Macedonia’s transition and critiquing the linear perception that the institution adopts from the mainstream economic theory and deliberate the benefits of using complexity theory instead, in uncovering the systems complexities. This paper contends that the neo-liberal policies implemented during the Macedonian transition have been imposed by following mainstream economic theory and neglecting the complex nature of the context.