Economic Growth: Brazil, India, Japan . Edited by Simon Kuznets, Wilbert E. Moore, and Joseph J. Spengler . Durham: Duke University Press, 1955. 613. $12.50.

interchange of persons between two countries, and knowledge about the literature and arts of another people lead to peaceful relations? The author's answer is: "This case study of Japanese-American cultural relations offers little evidence, alas, to support such optimistic generalizations... . Cultural relations between Japan and America before 1941 were quite extensive and, on balance, clearly a positive contribution toward peace and cooperation" (p. 320). The conclusion is that "cultural interchange is certainly no guarantee of peace or political cooperation." It can, however, aid "in the improvement of bilateral relations, provided it contributes to the solution of basic political and economic problems, instead of seeking to evade them" (p. 327). In the final analysis, however, the value of cultural relations is less political than humanistic. We are impelled to agree that "as relations of men to men, they involve a rich range of motives and satisfactions. The desires of men to learn and to share are precious things that extend beyond national boundaries" (p. 331). In putting cultural relations in their proper perspective, the author has done a real service to the cause of better international understanding. Too often these days people assume that an era of peace may be attained by the application of some simple formula like "cultural exchange equals peace." We are all aware that appeals for funds from both government and private sources to support cultural activities are often couched in terms of political objectives. This is unfortunate, because those who give funds in answer to such appeals may find themselves being shortchanged. It would be more realistic, and certainly more honest, to take the long view and look upon cultural relations, not as a weapon to be used in the "cold war," but as an expression of the lofty human impulse to share our ideas and ideals with others.