Comparative Socialist Systems - (Pitt Latin American) by Carmelo Mesa-Lago & Carl Beck (Paperback)

About the Book

"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

Book 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.

Review Quotes

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"

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"

About the Author

Carmelo Mesa-Lago (Editor)
Carmelo Mesa-Lago is distinguished service professor emeritus of economics and Latin American studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He has published about ninety books in seven languages across thirty-nine countries and received many awards, including the International Labour Organization Decent Work Research Prize (shared with Nelson Mandela) for his work on social protection in the world.

Carl Beck (Editor)
Carl Beck is professor of political science and sociology and director of the University Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also executive director of the International Studies Association, chairman of the Pittsburgh Inter-University Program on Comparative Communism, and director of Pitt's archive on Political Elites in Eastern Europe.