The economic system of the Soviet Union is of vital interest not merely because the USSR is a world superpower but also because the Soviets offer their economic development strategy and system as a model to Third World nations seeking rapid development and social change. This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the evolution and operation of the Soviet economy, its external economic relations, and the challenges it faces in the next decade. The selections describe the nature and difficulties of Soviet economic planning and the wide range of legal and illegal unplanned activities in the Soviet economy today. They examine also the involvement of citizens as both producers and consumers. The closing section looks at prospects for the future in the areas of agriculture, energy, and technological development.