International Trade and Central Planning

International Trade and Central Planning: An Analysis of Economic Interactions explores the intricate dynamics of foreign trade in centrally planned economies (CPEs) and its interplay with domestic economic planning. Unlike market-type economies (MTEs), where trade is largely guided by market forces, CPEs rely on direct government control, making their trade patterns and mechanisms distinct. This book highlights the historical neglect of CPE foreign trade in economic studies and addresses critical issues such as trade aversion, balance-of-payments pressures, and inefficiencies inherent in central planning. Through theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, and case-specific analyses, the book examines the bidirectional relationship between domestic plans and trade outcomes. It also underscores the challenges posed by institutional rigidity, state trade monopolies, and a focus on self-sufficiency, which often hinder CPEs from realizing the full benefits of trade.

The text provides a comparative perspective on trade patterns in CPEs and MTEs, demonstrating how CPEs’ lower trade-to-income ratios reflect a historical aversion to trade, even as their trade volumes have grown rapidly over time due to industrialization needs. Key topics include the structural imbalances caused by prioritizing machinery production over agriculture, the instability of trade composition and direction, and the difficulty of adjusting to external shocks. Additionally, the book delves into the long-term legacies of central planning, which continue to shape trade policies even during economic transitions. By presenting original research and stimulating further inquiry, the book bridges gaps in the study of centrally planned foreign trade and integrates it into broader international trade theory, offering valuable insights into this underexplored area of economic analysis.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1968.