Economic development and the price level in Egypt, 1950-1962

This thesis on growth and the price level in Egypt,
is a case study of a country which is planning to enter
the take-off period at a time when a social and political
revolution is taking place. The period of study (1950-62)
covers a critical stage in the history of Egypt, since
it may be considered the transitional period in which the
country had to complete the structural changes necessary
for a dynamic economy. While in the earlier part of the
period of study, the economy was mainly based on the
principles of a free enterprise system, socialism emerged
in the later years, with the economy being subjected to
an overall plan. Thus, this study examines the functioning
of the various economic variables and their relationships
during such a stage of development and in view of such
social and political changes.

Growth and the price level have been examined from
both demand and supply viewpoints. In chapter III, a picture
of the working of the external forces is given while
chapter V is devoted to explaining the evolution of the,
public sector which has undergone many changes in conformity
with the changes in the overall political and economic
objectives of the country. Sectoral growth is examined in
Chapter IV while Chapter Vi is concerned with the system
of price controls. Finally, Chapter VII summarises the
main conclusions reached as regards development and changes
in the price level in Egypt during the period 1950-62.

An important contribution of this research is that
it collates and presents in a useful form a considerable
amount of statistical data on the Egyptian economy which
previously had not been easily available.