Description
Book SynopsisWhy did the Soviet Union squander the political leverage afforded by its trade subsidy to Eastern Europe? Why did Soviet officials fail to bargain with resolve, to link subsidies to salient political issues, to make credible commitments, and to monitor the satellites' policies? This book answers these questions and others.
Trade Review"Randall Stone provides a theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich study... Masterfully linking theory and case study, Stone provides a provocative analysis that challenges a number of prevailing views... Skeptics may dispute Stone's conclusions but are less likely to question the quality of his analysis and research. Indeed, his careful study has set the terms for debate and an agenda for further research."--Philip Roeder, American Political Science Review "A major achievement in the field of Soviet studies. It is an original, carefully documented, and theoretically valuable contribution to the field. Moreover, this book effectively crosses disciplines of comparative political economy and international relations, making it essential reading both for theorists concerned with the process of integration and for students of Soviet-East European relations."--Alan Rousso, Political Science Quarterly "One of the best-researched analyses of trade between members of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance... This is a book well worth reading."--Dale R. Herspring, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Table of ContentsList of TablesPrefaceList of AbbreviationsCh. 1A Principal-Agent Theory of Soviet Bargaining Failure3Ch. 2The History of Subsidized Trade27Ch. 3The Politics of Bilateral Trade Negotiations49Ch. 4The Costs of Empire?72Ch. 5Three Case Studies of Politics and Trade89Ch. 6The Comprehensive Program115Ch. 7The Long-Term Target Programs148Ch. 8The Comprehensive Program for Scientific and Technical Progress171Ch. 9Perestroika and the Unified Socialist Market204Ch. 10Conclusions and Reflections238Appendix: List of Interviews251Selected Bibliography261Index277
