Many of today's most significant socioeconomic problems, such as slower economic growth, the decline of some established industries, and shifts in patterns of foreign trade, are inter- or transnational in nature. Intercountry comparative analyses of recent historical developments are necessary when we attempt to identify the underlying processes of economic structural change and formulate useful hypotheses concerning future developments. The understanding of these processes and future prospects provides the focus for IIASA's project on Comparative Analysis of Economic Structure and Growth. 

This study analyzes trade flows for eleven countries and examines in detail the effects of depreciation policies for two developing countries.