Problems of S.E. Europe
Economic Development in S.E. Europe. With an Introduction by Professor David Mitrany. (P.E.P. : Political and Economic Planning. 10s. 6d.)
P.E.P. commends this study on the economic development of South- East Europe, which it regards as a " working model for regional economic advance which is capable of application to several of the world's great backward areas." It is disappointing—at any rate for a Czech—to read that even a group of experts like P.E.P. still knows so little about Czechoslovakia, which it apparently regards as part of a " backward area." The book consists of six chapters dealing with the problems of nutrition, food and agriculture, industrial development, transport, marketing and financial aspects in eight South-Eastern European countries. Added are useful statistical appendices, and the book is prefaced by an introduction by Professor Mitrany, who explains that the book is the result of the studies of an Economic Research Group which was set up in the autumn of 1945.
All the countries of the discussed region were represented in its membership. The Research Group was inspired, as the introduction says, by the conviction that a better life and good will in the Danubian area could be greatly furthered by regional co-operation in practical Matters. Political issues were, as Professor Mitrany states, set aside, and " the problems were considered from the point of view of practical means for definite social ends, rather than from the more habitual one of diplomatic means for uncertain political ends." The book thus becomes a typical example' of the " func- tional " approach of Professor Mitrany.
In examining the economic problems of the various countries the Economic Research Group had to use pre-war statistics, which, of course, became a grave handicap for a study based on the examina- tion of economic data. The main point for controversial discussion will be the book's conception of " S.-E. Europe," which includes Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Roumania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece. Many will see in it another veiled attempt at a "cordon sanitaire " ; others will object that Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria in no case belong to " S.-E. Europe." The great economic and social differences between Czechoslovakia and Austria and other States in S.-E. Europe could, in my view, have been set out more clearly. Czechoslovakia and Austria are in their industrial development not behind the most advanced countries of Western Europe and do not belong to the Balkan region. Geographically and economically, Italy is, for instance, much nearer to Greece than Czechoslovakia.
It is impossible to discuss at length in a book-review the problem whether it is really possible—as the book attempts—to avoid politics when discussing the economic problems of any area. It seems to me that the " functional approach " of Professor Mitrany is certainly useful but has its strict limitations. In our time of growing govern- mental interference with practically everybody and everything every- where the " functional approach," especially when dealing with economic problems, is, by avoiding politics, apt to simplify the issue, which is much more complex. However, Professor Mitrany may be justified in retorting that his "a-political " attitude is for the outside neutral observer the only fair approach.
The book gives one of the best expositions of the economic structure of the discussed countries on the basis of the available pre- war data, and very useful suggestions for their economic develop- ment. Whatever political objections may be raised against it, it tries hard to avoid politics, and should be of great help to all who are interested in the economic problems of S.-E. Europe.
ALFRED DRUCKER.
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