The Economics of German Unification: An Introduction

Economists with one foot each in Britain and eastern Europe analyze the efforts of the former West Germany to raise the productivity and living standards of their disadvantaged, newly absorbed, eastern compatriots. They also assess the prospects of the former East Germany for growth in the medium and long term, and the wider implications for western Germany and Europe. Among their topics are the relative backwardness of East Germany's economy, labor markets and industrial policy, the impact of monetary and economic integration, and restructuring and privatization. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.