Giant us corporations( 美国经济的中流砥柱--巨头公司）
Giant us corporations( 美国经济的中流砥柱--巨头公司） The two most obvious changes in the American economy are the emergence of highly sophisticated technology and the rise of giant corporations.In addition,market forces have lost some of their significance as planning has become more important .In the last decade the goverment's role in the economy has changed greatly property relationships and decision making powers have shifted,and the demand for highly educated specialists has increased enomously.
We may think of the Amercasn economy as consisting of two completely different sectors.The world of the giant corporations,which can be called the "industrial system",consists of 500 or 600 firms that provide nearly all communications,nearly all production of electric power,much transportation,most nanufacturing and mining,a substantial shar of retail trade,and a considerable amount of entertainment.Outside of this industrial system fall most agricultural enterprises,some mining and trucking,professional and artistic pursuits,some retail trade,and most personal and domestic services.
The classsical economic laws of the market-----supply and demand,and so on----still apply to some degree.But today the industrial sector is characterized far more by planning and certianty than by the free play of market forces.It appears that it could scarcely be otherwise.In large corporations with advanced technological systems and complex organizations of highly trained specialists ,plans for producing any one item are made well in advance.Such plans,once made, are hard to change.Because long-term planning demands certainty,market forces are avoided by various mean.For example,the corporation may achieve"vertical integration"by buying companies that supply raw materials at one end of the process and distribution outlets at the other.Corporations may agree on "just prices" for things they buy and sell.They may enter mutuallly advantageous long-term contracts with suppliers and customers.Moreover,in their quest for cetainty they generally have the support of the state.
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