“PROJECTS FOR CUSTOMS UNIONS AND OTHER SPECIAL TARIFF ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN STATES INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER POLITICALLY ARE TODAY WIDESPREAD…”

VINER, Jacob. The Customs Union Issue. New York and London: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Stevens & Sons, 1950. Octavo, original burgundy cloth, original dust jacket. $450.

First edition of this work introducing “the distinction between the trade-creating and the trade-diverting effects of customs unions” (Concise Encyclopedia of Economics).

This work deals with the idea of customs unions as a partial solution for the economic and political problems that were affecting the international community following World War II. After the war, a number of the European nations, in particular, began to form economic alliances. In 1947, the Benelux Customs Union was formed. Soon after, a Customs Union treaty was signed between Italy and France. In 1950, the appeal to the Scandinavian countries, Western European nations, and, indeed, the rest of the world was obvious. In this work, Viner analyzes the costs and benefits of customs unions, as well as their possibilities and limitations for controlling international commerce. While Viner touches the history of customs unions only to illustrate his points, he provides insightful and useful examples of how customs unions have worked in the past. Accomplished economic historian Marc Blaug referred to the author, Jacob Viner as “the greatest historian of economic thought that ever lived.” With comprehensive list of documents and references related to customs unions and a bibliography. Evidence of label removal to rear endpaper.

Book very nearly fine, dust jacket with slight soiling and only light rubbing and toning to extremities. A near-fine copy.