Acknowledging economic realities. The CMEA policy changevis-à-visthe European Community, 1970–3

What is it about?

The European Community posed a challenge to the socialist bloc and its economic organization, the CMEA, at the beginning of the 1970s. The socialist countries' trade prospects became threatened with a change in the EC trade policy. This article analyses the CMEA's efforts to counteract the negative economic consequences.

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Why is it important?

The article shows how dependent the socialist bloc was on the global markets already during the 1970s. It also contests the view that the Soviet Union could dictate the policies of its allies by showing the East Europeans' agency and independence to maneuver in their quest to protect their national interests.