The Economics of World War II: Six Great Powers in International Comparison

by Edited by Mark Harrison

• ISBN13: 9780521785037
• ISBN10: 0521785030
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-26
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book, the result of an international collaborative project, provides a new quantitative view of the wartime economic experiences of six great powers: the UK, the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USSR. A chapter is devoted to each country, while the introductory chapter presents a comparative overview. It aims to provide a text of statistical reference for those interested in international and comparative economic history, the history of World War II, the history of economic policy, and comparative economic systems.

Table of Contents

List of figures	x
List of tables	xi
List of contributors	xvi
Preface	xvii
List of abbreviations	xxi
The economics of World War II: an overview	1	(42)
Mark Harrison
Introduction: economic factors in the war	1	(1)
Population, territory, and GDP	2	(16)
Size and development	18	(4)
The determinants of mobilization	22	(3)
Quantity and quality	25	(2)
Winning the war, losing the peace	27	(16)
The United Kingdom: `Victory at all costs'	43	(38)
Stephen Broadberry
Peter Howlett
Introduction	43	(1)
Mobilization for war	43	(13)
Industry	56	(9)
The long-run impact on wealth	65	(7)
Conclusion	72	(9)
The United States: from ploughshares to swords	81	(41)
Hugh Rockoff
Introduction	81	(1)
The production miracle	82	(16)
The factors of production	98	(9)
Financing the war	107	(4)
The long-run consequences of the war	111	(6)
Conclusion	117	(5)
Germany: guns, butter, and economic miracles	122	(55)
Werner Abelshauser
Introduction	122	(1)
The prewar `economic miracle'	123	(8)
As much butter as necessary, as many guns as possible	131	(20)
Mobilization for war and the postwar inheritance	151	(18)
Conclusion	169	(8)
Italy: how to lose the war and win the peace	177	(47)
Vera Zamagni
Introduction	177	(1)
The war economy	178	(19)
The cost of the war	197	(10)
War losses	207	(6)
Conclusion	213	(11)
Japan: guns before rice	224	(44)
Akira Hara
Introduction: the phases of Japan's war economy	224	(1)
Production and expenditure	225	(8)
Economic controls during the war with China	233	(8)
Economic controls during the Pacific War	241	(10)
Mobilization of the workforce	251	(5)
Mobilization of finance and money	256	(5)
Wartime statistics	261	(3)
Conclusion: changes due to wartime control	264	(4)
The Soviet Union: the defeated victor	268	(34)
Mark Harrison
Introduction	268	(1)
The economic potential for war	268	(4)
Mobilizing the potential	272	(2)
The cost of war (I): war finance	274	(5)
Real output and employment	279	(7)
The defence burden and foreign aid	286	(4)
Living standards and demography	290	(2)
The cost of war (II): the long run	292	(4)
Conclusion	296	(6)
Index	302