The Bursa Conference of 1958 convened to address the nascent and complex economic disparities between Eastern and Western European nations. This gathering brought together economists and policymakers to analyze the diverging economic trajectories and to explore potential avenues for understanding and comparison in the post-war era. The discussions aimed to bridge ideological divides and establish a common ground for evaluating economic performance and development strategies in a world increasingly shaped by Cold War tensions.

This volume, stemming from the 1958 Bursa Conference, offers a valuable historical snapshot of early comparative economic studies between East and West. The collection likely provides foundational insights into the methodologies and challenges faced by economists attempting to reconcile disparate economic systems during the Cold War. Its value lies in preserving the original discourse and highlighting the intellectual groundwork laid for future economic analysis.