ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights a number of cases of paradoxical attitudes, developments and practices, which may be taken as symbolizing the beginning of a new era in the evolution of the multinationals as well as of East–West relations in a rather striking manner. Multinational corporations often prefer to sell their technology to the Socialist countries than to other competing companies in the capitalist world. In several respects, multinational corporations are surprisingly similar to the Socialist states. A number of cartel-like associations have been formed by the European Socialist countries under the auspices of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance. In progressive societies modern technology enables the solution of the basic economic problem – that of scarcity and poverty. Economic common sense will dictate specialization in accordance with the principle of comparative advantage, and the sooner it prevail the better for the parties concerned.
