With increased economic competition among industrial countries, the need for rapid economic development in less developed countries, and the collapse of centrally planned regimes in Eastern Europe, concern for economic policies has moved to the forefront of most nations' agendas. This reference handbook offers and overview of economic policies in the world's most important countries and regions, examining the different mix of methods and tools these governments use to achieve their economic goals. The aim of the volume is to identify and compare the various policies and instruments used by the different countries, as well as the results that have been obtained.

The work begins with a brief introduction to national economic policies, written by editor Dominick Salvatore. Separate chapters then focus on each of the major countries—the United States, Japan, India, the Soviet Union, and China—and on several homogeneous groupings of countries, such as the European Economic Community, Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Economic policies of the past decade and the important changes that have taken place in that period are explained—as well as prospects for the future. Among the major issues discussed are fiscal policies, monetary policies, industrial policies, trade and exchange rate policies, and environmental policies. By considering these various approaches from country to country and by examining the instruments utilized and the outcomes adopted, the book presents a unique comparative study of economic systems. This work will be especially useful to professional economists and policy makers, as well as to students in international economics.