International Bibliography of Economics/Bibliographie internationale de science economiqueby UNESCO-UNICEF Co-Operative ProgrammeReview by: B. S. KeirsteadThe Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science / Revue canadienne d'Economique etde Science politique, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Feb., 1956), p. 135Published by: Wiley on behalf of Canadian Economics AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/138287 .

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the editors do not explain how or by whom the material was selected. In the case of Canada, for example, only four sources were used; the published Proceedings of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (to mention one omission) were apparently neglected. Finally, the compilers and publishers will have to do better on the timing of this series: it covers the year 1952 but is published in July, 1954. This well-indexed bibliography meets an obvious need of the profession although it is doubtful whether a mere compilation will realize the editors' hopes that it "may lead to a better understanding of the

concepts involved, and thus help to secure some degree of unification in the field of political science." [J. E. HODGETTS]

International Bibliography of Economics/Bibliographie internationale de science economique, by UNESCO (volume I, works published in 1952, pre- pared by the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques, Paris, with the assistance of the International Economic Association and the International Committee for Social Science Documentation, Paris: UNESCO [Toronto: University of Toronto Press], 1955, pp. 429, $7.50). Only an expert biblio-

grapher or librarian could express a considered opinion on the technical

quality of this compilation. The present reviewer subjected it to the usual amateurish test of checking certain articles and authors of the year 1952. So far as my little experiment went, it was in every case satisfactory. I found

my own articles and my friends' easily enough and all where expected. The

proper object of this Notice, however, should be to comment briefly on the

questions the editors raise in their Preface. To the question as to whether or not the compilation is of real use, the answer is affirmative, but its usefulness would be vastly increased if (a) the decision were now taken to issue this

bibliography annually and (b) an attempt were made to publish three selective indices, one covering the period from the first establishment of the leading journals, about 1870, till 1900, one covering the period from 1900 to, say, 1930, and one from 1930 to the beginning of the annual series in 1952. I do not see an answer to the question of whether or not the present work is more valuable than a series of selected abstracts, translated into the most used languages. (The International Political Science Association, I believe, is sponsoring such a series.) Both, surely, would be useful. The series of abstracts would be useful if the selecting and editing were well done, the precis-writing were competent, and the translating informed. This is rather a lot to expect. It is something, perhaps, for the International Economic Association to hope for and to plan for. In the meantime this first volume gives promise, if the series is sustained, of filling a very real need. It would be a pity if it were abandoned for a series of abstracts. Finally, the editors ask about classification. In this connection their problems must be immense because the traditions of classification in different countries are various. As a matter of personal opinion, I may say I found their classification rather "French" to my taste and prefer the classifica- tions used by the American Economic Review in its book review section. But this is the Anglo-Saxon tradition. Certainly the classification is so skilful that, even when somewhat unfamiliar, it is not baffling. One finds what one expects to find where one looks for it. [B. S. KEIRSTEAD]

the editors do not explain how or by whom the material was selected. In the case of Canada, for example, only four sources were used; the published Proceedings of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (to mention one omission) were apparently neglected. Finally, the compilers and publishers will have to do better on the timing of this series: it covers the year 1952 but is published in July, 1954. This well-indexed bibliography meets an obvious need of the profession although it is doubtful whether a mere compilation will realize the editors' hopes that it "may lead to a better understanding of the

concepts involved, and thus help to secure some degree of unification in the field of political science." [J. E. HODGETTS]

International Bibliography of Economics/Bibliographie internationale de science economique, by UNESCO (volume I, works published in 1952, pre- pared by the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques, Paris, with the assistance of the International Economic Association and the International Committee for Social Science Documentation, Paris: UNESCO [Toronto: University of Toronto Press], 1955, pp. 429, $7.50). Only an expert biblio-

grapher or librarian could express a considered opinion on the technical

quality of this compilation. The present reviewer subjected it to the usual amateurish test of checking certain articles and authors of the year 1952. So far as my little experiment went, it was in every case satisfactory. I found

my own articles and my friends' easily enough and all where expected. The

proper object of this Notice, however, should be to comment briefly on the

questions the editors raise in their Preface. To the question as to whether or not the compilation is of real use, the answer is affirmative, but its usefulness would be vastly increased if (a) the decision were now taken to issue this

bibliography annually and (b) an attempt were made to publish three selective indices, one covering the period from the first establishment of the leading journals, about 1870, till 1900, one covering the period from 1900 to, say, 1930, and one from 1930 to the beginning of the annual series in 1952. I do not see an answer to the question of whether or not the present work is more valuable than a series of selected abstracts, translated into the most used languages. (The International Political Science Association, I believe, is sponsoring such a series.) Both, surely, would be useful. The series of abstracts would be useful if the selecting and editing were well done, the precis-writing were competent, and the translating informed. This is rather a lot to expect. It is something, perhaps, for the International Economic Association to hope for and to plan for. In the meantime this first volume gives promise, if the series is sustained, of filling a very real need. It would be a pity if it were abandoned for a series of abstracts. Finally, the editors ask about classification. In this connection their problems must be immense because the traditions of classification in different countries are various. As a matter of personal opinion, I may say I found their classification rather "French" to my taste and prefer the classifica- tions used by the American Economic Review in its book review section. But this is the Anglo-Saxon tradition. Certainly the classification is so skilful that, even when somewhat unfamiliar, it is not baffling. One finds what one expects to find where one looks for it. [B. S. KEIRSTEAD]

Reviews of Books Reviews of Books 135 135

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