Comparing Economic Systems
A Political-Economic Approach
Published on 12. May 2014
496 pages
978-1-4832-6093-8 (ISBN)
Description
Comparing Economic Systems: A Political-Economic Approach presents a political-economic approach to the analysis and comparison of different types of economic systems. Full, integrated political-economic case studies of several representative countries, including Japan, Sweden, and France, are given. This book consists of six parts and begins with an overview of some definitions of the main kinds of political and economic systems; theoretical arguments from various points of view about how political and economic systems relate to each other; and the criteria for evaluating different political-economic systems. The next section considers three essentially market capitalist systems: Japan, Sweden, and France. The Soviet Union, a centrally planned, allegedly socialist economy, is examined next. More specifically, Soviet development from 1917 to 1928 and from 1928 to the present is discussed. Central planning in developing countries such as China and Cuba is also explored. Finally, the theory of market socialism is analyzed, citing the cases of Hungary and Yugoslavia. This monograph will be of value to politicians, economists, and economic policymakers.
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Content
PrefacePart One. Introduction 1. Political and Economic Systems Plan of the Book The Political-Economic Approach Socialism and Capitalism Democracy and Dictatorship Developed and Underdeveloped Economies Hypotheses Concerning Politics and Economics Comparing Economic Systems Controversies among Comparative Economists Recommended ReadingsPart Two. Market Economies and the Government 2. Japan. Business and Government Coordination Background Corporate Structure and Finance Household Savings Labor Market Institutions Role of the State Summary and Conclusion Recommended Readings 3. Sweden. The Middle Way Background Social Services and Benefits The Cooperative Sector Industrial Democracy Labor Market Characteristics and Policies Fiscal Policy Monetary Policy Supply Management Capital Formation Conclusion Recommended Readings 4. France. Indicative Planning The Monnet Plan Performance of the First Plan Later Plans Performance of Planned Goals The Socialist Government of Mitterrand (1981-) Different Views of Planning and Management Managing the Nationalized Firms Macro Performance under the Mitterrand Government Recommended ReadingsPart Three. Central Planning: The Soviet Case Soviet Economic Institutions: Differences from the United States Government Ownership of Industry Government Ownership of Agriculture Central Planning Central Planning and the University Public Health, Education, and Housing Soviet Economie Institutions: Similarities to the United States Plan of Part Three 5. USSR. Development from 1917 to 1928 Russia before 1917 Political Evolution, 1905-1917 War Communism Political Evolution, 1917-1921 Socioeconomic Causes of Soviet Dictatorship The New Economic Policy Beginnings of NEP (1921-1923) The Scissors Crisis (1923-1924) The End of NEP (1924-1928) The Great Debate The Stalinist Solution Recommended Readings 6. USSR. Development from 1928 to the Present Political History, 1928 to 1956 Political Development, 1956 to the Present Soviet Ideology: Democracy and Dictatorship The First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932) The Second Five-Year Plan (1933-1937) The Third Five-Year Plan (1938-1941) Growth in the 1930s The Second World War (1941-1945) Reconstruction (1945-1950) Soviet Economic Growth, 1950 to the Present The Political-Ethical Issues: Consumption Vs. Investment A Statistical Overview of Soviet and U.S. Growth Since 1950 Why the Soviet Economy Has Grown Faster Than the U.S. Economy The Decline of Soviet Growth Rates The Slowdown in Soviet Growth Appendix 6A. Problems with Soviet Statistics Appendix 6B. Soviet vs. U.S. "Defense Spending" 7. USSR. The Operation of Central Planning Forms of Enterprise The Ministry System The Organization of the Planning Mechanism The Price System The Second Economy Appendix 7A. Soviet Planning for International Trade Method of Planning International Trade The Volume of Trade Recommended Readings Recommended Readings for Appendix 8. USSR.
