Socialist Planning

Socialist planning played an enormous role in the economic and political history of the twentieth century. Beginning in the USSR it spread round the world. It influenced economic institutions and economic policy in countries as varied as Bulgaria, USA, China, Japan, India, Poland and France. How did it work? What were its weaknesses and strengths? What is its legacy for the twenty-first century? Now in its third edition, this textbook is fully updated to cover the findings of the period since the collapse of the USSR. It provides an overview of socialist planning, explains the underlying theory and its limitations, looks at its implementation in various sectors of the economy, and places developments in their historical context. A new chapter analyses how planning worked in the defence-industrial complex. This book is an ideal text for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in comparative economic systems and twentieth-century economic history. Socialist Planning Played An Enormous Role In The Economic And Political History Of The Twentieth Century. Beginning In The Ussr It Spread Round The World, And Influenced Economic Institutions And Policy In Countries As Varied As Bulgaria, The United States, China, Japan, India, Poland And France. Now In Its Third Edition, This Textbook Is Fully Updated, And Provides An Overview Of Socialist Planning, Explains Its Underlying Theory And Limitations, Looks At Its Implementation In Various Sectors Of The Economy, And Places Developments In Their Historical Context, Including The Collapse Of The Ussr. A New Chapter Analyses How Socialist Planning Worked In The Defence-industrial Complex. The Rise And Fall Of Socialist Planning -- The Traditional Model -- The Reform Process -- Planning The Defence-industry Complex -- Investment Planning -- Planning Agriculture -- Planning Labour And Incomes -- Planning Consumption -- Planning International Trade -- An Evaluation Of Socialist Planning. Michael Ellman. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 396- 416) And Index. This is a fully updated textbook providing an overview of socialist planning, analysing the weaknesses of the system, the reasons for its disappearance and considering its legacy for the twenty-first century. It is an ideal text for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in comparative economic systems and twentieth-century economic history.