Economic Assistance for the Former Republics of the Soviet Union: A Strategy forthe West

摘要

The demise of the Soviet Union has left the West struggling for a strategy todeal with its former republics. It is clearly in the collective interest of the West for these fledgling democracies to succeed. However, after seventy years of adversarial relations, Western nations are reluctant to provide the economic aid that is needed. This paper concludes that the West should deal with the former republics through a strategy of mutual economic engagement. The republics should liberalize price controls, privatize property and permit free trade and foreign investment. In return, the West should provide the republics funds for currency stabilization and balance-of-payments support, assist in development of private sector and provide technical assistance.