Research for Economic Policy

In an effort to address the most compelling issues surrounding the Soviet Navy in the era of Perestroika, ONI and CNA brought together more than 35 specialists on the Soviet Union from both inside and outside the government. Their views are recorded in this report and do not necessarily reflect the positions of CNA or the United States Navy.

Recent Soviet press statements reflect a growing conviction that the emerging 'Pacific Century' has important implications for the USSR. While seemingly downgrading the military component of Soviet Far East presence, Soviet leaders are contemplating various unprecedented measures. Among them are the creation of 'free economic zones' and the opening of several ports, including Vladivostok. This research memorandum assesses the status of these developments, discusses some of their implications, and examines the possible nature of economic activity in the zones and potential sites for them. Also briefly noted are new trends in Soviet economic thinking.

This paper presents estimates of what effect technical changes had on labor demands from 1958-1977 in the steel and auto industries.

This paper expands upon a model developed by Ladman to provide a vehicle to explain not only the historical development of the border area economy, but also to provide a useful instrument to predict the impact of changes in economic activity in the two-nation region.