Do Borders Matter? Soviet Economic Reform after the Coup

Merton J. Peck,

MJP

Merton J. Peck Yale University

Thomas J. Richardson, and

TJR

Thomas J. Richardson Yale University

William D. Nordhaus

WDN

William D. Nordhaus

There is little doubt that the irresistibly inefficient communist era is
over, but the shape of the new regime is unclear. In this paper, we reflect
on what difference a shift in power from the center to the republics will make. In short, do borders-meaning the locus of political authority as
well as geographical size-matter for economic growth or for economic
reform?