Publisher's Note A groundbreaking contribution to the economic literature, this book explores why postwar trade and payments have evolved as they have, the prospects for future evolution, and the range of policy adjustments likely to be required. Through a rigorous examination of historical records, Cohen reveals for the first time the existence of distinct and parallel cycles in world trade and payments and utilizes newly researched data to explore the much-heralded J-curve and its relevance in relating exchange rates to trade balances. The author offers a set of recommendations to reduce such imbalances through a new "Cycle of Adjustment."