Synopses & Reviews
Review
“Its purpose is 'to advance the methodology to compare socialist systems,' . . . a multidisciplinary effort. . . . Socialism is not viewed as an end, as a movement that (in some places) represents an attempt to revolutionize the totality of social and economic existence; rather, it is seen as an alternative means to an end-industrialization. Socialist economies are believed to be necessarily inefficient and repressive, and most of the observers represented in this volume feel that these economies must ultimately give way to more market-oriented, capitalist-propelled devices to reach the goal of industrialization.”
—Journal of Economic Issues
Review
“The editors have merged work from two disciplines, economics and political science; in a summary conclusion, a sociologist suggests possible extensions in the comparison of socialist systems for the future. . . . contributes generously to the field.”
—Slavic Review
Synopsis
This volume advances the methodology to compare socialist systems throughout the world by combining both theoretical approaches and empirical comparisons in a multidisciplinary and systematic fashion. Of the sixteen essays, all but two include the Soviet Union, all refer to Eastern Europe, six include China, and five include Cuba.
About the Author
Carmelo Mesa-Lago is professor emeritus of economics at the University of Pittsburgh.