Trade, Technology, and Soviet-American Relations

This exceptionally timely volume draws heavily on the extensive work previously done by its contributors and other specialists. Case studies of computers, autos, energy, defense and agriculture are backed up by broader surveys, and an interesting comparison of Soviet and Japanese experience. Soviet ability to make good use of Western technology is shown to vary greatly among different fields. There are only rare cases in which Western export controls could be expected to have major effects but, as an essay on domestic politics reminds us, shrewd judgment has not been a salient characteristic of American policy in this matter.