The Postwar Economic Order: National Reconstruction and International Cooperation

Before his fame as a social scientist, Albert O. Hirschman was involved in rebuilding postwar Europe. He worked as an economic analyst for the Federal Reserve Board, writing reports on European economic policies and the Marshall Plan. The Postwar Economic Order collects these reports, offering insights into postwar Europe and American debates on economic recovery. Hirschman's analysis highlights the complexities and paradoxes of economic and political processes, providing a unique perspective on the origins of European economic cooperation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Before attaining his renowned status as one of the most original social scientists of the twentieth century, Albert O. Hirschman actively contributed to the reconstruction of postwar Europe. Between 1946 and 1952, he served as an economic analyst in the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Board of the United States, where his primary focus was on the reconstruction of Europe and the Marshall Plan. During this period, Hirschman authored numerous reports on European economic policies, the initial attempts at intra-European cooperation, and the complexities surrounding the establishment of a new international economic order centered around the United States.

The Postwar Economic Order presents a compilation of these interconnected reports, offering insightful firsthand analysis of postwar Europe and providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into American deliberations on European economic recovery. These reports delve into nuanced and sophisticated discussions of topics such as the postwar "dollar shortage," U.S.-European relations, and the initial steps toward European economic integration. Hirschman offers original and perceptive interpretations of the challenges that European governments encountered during their economic recovery journeys. Throughout, Hirschman's stylistic prowess and distinctive reasoning methods are evident, as he highlights the counterintuitive and paradoxical aspects of economic and political processes. By shedding new light on the origins of European economic cooperation, this book offers unparalleled insight into the evolution of Hirschman's thinking on economic development and reform.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231200592