Normal comparisons of industrial structures in East and West Germany

Summary

Direct comparisons of East and West German industrial structures fail to reveal significant differences. On the other hand, comparisons of actual East and West German industrial structures with their normal counterparts indicate important structural differences, especially in the light and heavy manufactures output mix. It is argued that these differences reflect institutional differences (free enterprise capitalism and centrally planned socialism) insofar as they are not explained by differences in trade utilization.