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U.S.A. productivity growth has been decreasing relative to that of many other countries. The reasons for this should be viewed in terms of systems factors that affect the productive output of an over-developed country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on national economic planning in France--which critics refer to as a form of central planning and advocates refer to as a market survey that provides information for making business decisions. Characteristics of the French plan include: a statement of social and economic objectives in a framework of business activities; planning commissions which offer information and advice and review target goals; and methods for implementing action and enforcing compliance. Data shows executives' perception of how much the national plan influences their decision making. Statistics show the occupational groupings of commission members. Positive effects such as dynamism and harmonization are mentioned, as well as the negative impact on competition.

Discusses productivity and unit labor costs in 12 industrial countries. Output per man-hour; Hourly compensation; Productivity trends since 1960.

This study investigates the compatibility of intertemporal versus intercountry income and industrial structure relationships in relatively mature industrialized countries. mature industrialized countries. Econometric testing procedures are applied to a cross-section/time-series sample consisting of ten industrialized countries with time-series observations for roughly ten-year periods from 1910 to 1970. First, the homogeneity of "pure" cross-section and inter- temporal elasticities is investigated as an overall test of the conformity between cross-section and intertemporal relations. This test shows intertemporal and "pure" cross-section elasticities to be homogeneous for manufacturing but to be possibly heterogenous for the two manufacturing subsectors. Second, tests are performed to determine whether the individual country time-series elasticities differ significantly. Third, the usefulness of single cross-section estimates to infer intertemporal effects is considered. These tests reveal substantial "rotations" in Successive cross sections as elasticities decline dramatically in two of the three sectors.

Se presenta la versión en español, del texto del Capítulo 1 del Informe Anual del Fondo Monetario Internacional, publicado el 30 de abril de 1963. El capítulo enfoca en la situación mundial de pagos. Se informa que la actividad económica de los países industrializados seguía expandiéndose durante 1962. Se dan datos sobre las situaciones económicas de varios países, y se hablan de las relaciones económicas internacionales. Se hablan también de los problemas económicas de los países menos desarrollados.

Se presentan noticias que tratan de la economía internacional. El Fondo Monetario Internacional declaraba que había disminuido el peligro de la inflación en los países industriales. Se dan estadísticas de los préstamos del Banco Internacional de Reconstrucción y Fomento durante 1958 y 1959. Se pronosticaba una expansión en la producción mundial de alimentos. Se aprobó la creación de la Asociación Internacional de Desarrollo.

This paper deals with the adequacy of natural resource supplies to support an indefinite continuation of high rates of economic growth in advanced industrial economies. This paper is inspired by a recent spate of apocalyptic literature purporting to show that natural resource constraints impose an insuperable obstacle to such growth. The author suggests that this extreme pessimism is unwarranted because it attaches insufficient weight to an impressive array of adaptive mechanisms through which a market economy responds to shifting patterns of resource scarcity. Most important, he argues that technological change is, in the long run, the most powerful mechanism of response. The purpose of the author's recourse to history is to provide some insight into the manner in which economies possessed of a high degree of technological versatility have adapted to changing patterns of resource scarcities. The author notes that arguments drawn from the past history of countries which have demonstrated a high degree of technological innovativeness are not likely to be directly applicable to countries where such skills and talents have been notably lacking. The author believes that history can an insuperable obstacle to such growth.

To discuss the possible contemporary utility of historical studies is, at best, a hazardous venture. And, at most, it can easily become a tedious tramp through a jungle of stale arguments. Economists are accustomed to proceed by generalization, conceptualization, and the explicit construction of theoretical systems embracing and relating a wide variety of experiences; whereas most historians (although there are outstanding exceptions) are traditionally averse to model building, receptive to the idea of the "uniqueness" of events, and hypersensitive to the apparent complexity of particular historical situations. This article focuses on the particular problem (or, perhaps, the pseudoproblem) of whether or not history exemplifies significant patterns or illustrates usable "laws." The article suggests that in general, the answer to the main question is that history is, or can be, very relevant to the contemporary economic scene. And it is argued that this relevance lies less in the provision of timeless examples of socioeconomic processes than in the use of economic history as a source of expectation about such processes. From time to time, no doubt, the direct parallels between past and present will be both clear and significant. Far more often, however, the nature of change will preclude history repeating itself in any useful way. And, as a result, the most that can be expected is that the systematic study of the past will yield an approach to rather than a set of conclusions about the world.

Discusses the problems in comparing economic growth rates for developed and less developed countries for the period of 1950-68. Gross domestic product factor cost; Product per capita; Growth rates per year.

Analyzes the progress of technology as determinants of economic growth in developed economies, thereby providing the foundation for a philosophy of poverty. Impact of the technological progress on the changing philosophy of poverty; Outline of the traditional perspective on poverty; Establishment of level of technology with the traditional perspective on poverty.

Discusses a method of identifying the obstacles to economic development based on the history of economically-developed countries. Alleged obstacles that turn into assets; Postponement of elimination of obstacles; Shifts in attitude consequent upon commitment to discrepant behavior.

Compares international fixed productive capitals and its returns. Information on the fixed productive capital in developed capitalist countries; Relationships among the main capitalist countries with respect to labor productivity and capital-labor ratios; Indices on the change in the organic structure of capital in developed capitalist countries.

Se presentan noticias que tratan de la economía de los Estados Unidos. Continuaba un debate entre los hombres de negocios y algunos economistas sobre la posibilidad de una recesión económica. Se informa que la inversión directa privada norteamericana en el extranjero se concentró en 1959 en los países industriales.

This article focuses on the current relevance of early history of developed countries for economic development and the role of economic history in a professional economist's education. The article argues that the change in the social climate is the one which is most important. True enough, some of the lessons may be negative. But the knowledge of what not to do is most valuable, not less so than the knowledge of what is to be done. It Is indeed hard to acquire the latter without first learning the former. The article asserts strongly that economic history has a role-and an important role-to play in an economist's education. Economic history is, or should be, concerned with-studying, at various times in the past, all the standard economic relationships with which the students will be concerned in their work in economic theory, money and credit, international trade, and the other applied fields. How have these relationships changed over time, and in response to what institutional, demographic, and other forces?

El artículo enfoca en la situación económica y financiera mundial en 1960 y 1961. Se refiere al Informe Anual del Banco de Pagos Internaciones. Según el informe, los acontecimientos ocurridos durante ese período confirmaban el vigor de los países industrializados del Occidente. En los países miembros del OCEE continuaba incrementando la producción, el consumo y la inversión.

Se presentan noticias que tratan de la economía internacional. Se hablan de los pronósticos económicos para los países industriales para el año de 1960, según un Estudio Económico Mundial de las Naciones Unidas. Declinaba la tasa de expansión económica en Europa Occidental. Se hablan de las tarifas internas de los dos grupos económicos europeas. Gran Bretaña había elevado la tasa de redescuento. La India publicó detalles de su tercer plan quinquenal para el período de 1961 a 1966.