世界不況の政治経済学

国際経済の政治学

抄録

The worldwide economic recession that started with the oil crisis in 1973 is so severe that it reminds us of the 1930s. Of course, it is not proper to simply compare the present situation with that of the 1930s since each era has its own background in the international arena. Nonetheless, there is no denying that the present worldwide recession, being accompanied by a marked surplus in productive capacity, has various aspects similar to those of the 1930s. Firstly, unemployment is looming large in major industrial countries, and the struggle over markets is intensifying among them to assume an aspect of all-out economic war. This is not limited to trade alone but has expanded to currency and exchange to such an extent that concern is now voiced that the multiple circulating mechanism of the world economy might crumble again as it did in the 1930s. In any event, we can no longer discuss international politics without regard to economics. In this sense, the present international situation seems very similar to that of the 1930s.
At no time, of course, can politics be discussed separately from economics. Usually, however, politicians and scholars tend to be caught easily by the illusion of a separation between politics and economics, which has given rise to much confusion in the past. The most dangerous thing is to give definitive consideration to economics and to underestimate its effects on political and other matters, for, in real politics, economics can never be left aside as “mere economic matters.” We should realize that international politics and economics cannot be differentiated from one another in the modern age.
From the view-point of this political economics, this paper attempts to analyze the “solidarity” or “conciliatory attitude” among major industrial countries through international discussion and negotiation over the share-out of world markets in the deep-seated worldwide recession, and to examine to what length such international solidarity is permitted to go.