Comecon, or the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, was founded by Joseph Stalin in 1949 to counteract the Marshall Plan and reinforce the bonds between the Soviet Union and the "people's democracies" of Eastern Europe. Other Soviet Bloc nations later joined "Comecon, "and for forty years it dominated the trade policies of the Soviet Bloc and profoundly influenced their domestic economic development and relations with the West. "Comecon "collapsed in 1991 after the countries of Eastern Europe rejected communism. It was often compared with the (West European) Common Market, but differed vastly in its aims, structure, powers, and activities. Its influence is a critical factor in assessing both the economic failures of the Soviet Bloc and the problems facing former member states as they make the transition to free-market economies. This detailed, annotated bibliography is an essential guide to the extensive English-language literature about "Comecon "from its founding until its demise. Chapters cover "Comecon's "history, structure, and law; socialist economic integration; the organization's arrangements for international trade and finance; environment, natural resources, and energy; labor; industry and agriculture; science and technology. "Comecon, "like the rest of the Soviet Bloc, collapsed suddenly, but its legacy will color international relations and worldwide economic issues for years to come. An understanding of its institutions, mechanisms, and policies remains vital hi appreciating the economic organization of the former Soviet empire. This bibliography will therefore be indispensable to policymakers, economists, historians, and political scientists.

First published in 1983, this book provides a comprehensive view of gold and gold trading in its many facets, and identifies those sources of information that are important for an understanding of the world’s gold markets. The author looks first at gold’s changing role since 1960; in particular, the change from the fixed price to the present free market determination of price. The different forms the demand for gold takes – bullion, paper or in fabricated forms such as jewellery – are explained in detail. This is followed by an analysis of the supply side – new gold production and the circulation of existing old gold. The survey concludes with an assessment of the gold market and of gold prices now and in the future.