ABSTRACT
East-W est cooperation is a relatively new element in economic relations between the Western (capitalist) market econom ies and the Eastern (socialist) planned econom ies. Studies of the problems and prospects of East-W est cooperation often overlook the fact that cooperation between firm s has long existed in the Western market econom ies (and in the Eastern nations as well). East-W est coopera tion, although it is a special form of cooperation between enter p rises set in different economic system s and possessing their own specific features, still has a number of features in common with the Western, market-based form of interfirm cooperation. It shares some underlying motives as well as potential forms and areas of ap plication. A few rem arks, therefore, on the form of cooperation practiced within the Western nations might be useful for an analysis of East-W est cooperation.
