Subsidizing Success: The ExportImport Bank in the U.S. Economy

In this review of Subsidizing Success: The ExportImport Bank in the U.S. Economy, the book is recommended for readers seeking a rigorous, historical and analytical look at a major but little-understood government institution. Richard E. Feinberg's 1982 study presents a clear case for why the Export-Import Bank matters to U.S. trade and foreign policy, using cross-disciplinary tools to examine operations, political origins and economic impact. The single biggest reason to buy is its comprehensive treatment of Exim's history and policy role through 1980, which serves researchers, policy students and practitioners who need depth rather than a brief overview.

Key Features

• Comprehensive historical section: Traces the political and economic forces behind Exim's creation in the 1930s, giving readers a thorough grounding in origins and context.
• Multidisciplinary analysis: Uses analytical tools from several disciplines to evaluate the bank's operations and effectiveness, offering a richer perspective than a single-method study.
• Operational overview: Details Exim's loans and insurance activities up to 1980, illuminating how the agency functioned in practice.
• Policy insight: Explains the strategic role of Exim in U.S. foreign trade and relations, useful for understanding government-business interaction.
• Public vs private sector study: Serves as a focused case study on the relationship between government and private enterprise in domestic and international economics.

Who It's For

This book is best for graduate students, policy analysts and historians who want a deep, well-documented case study of a U.S. export promotion agency and its role in international economics. Readers preparing briefings or research on trade finance, government economic policy or the history of U.S. foreign economic institutions will find the material especially valuable.

Those seeking a recent overview of current Exim operations or contemporary data beyond 1980 should look elsewhere; the book is a historical and analytical account first published in 1982 and does not cover later developments or modern figures.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thorough historical context that clarifies why the ExportImport Bank was created and how it evolved through 1980.
• Analytical breadth from multiple disciplines that strengthens conclusions about effectiveness and strategy.
• Detailed description of Exim's loans and insurance activities, offering concrete operational understanding.

Cons

• Published in 1982, it does not include developments, data or policy changes after 1980.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Subsidizing Success is a valuable, in-depth study for those researching the history and policy role of the ExportImport Bank; its multidisciplinary analysis and operational detail make it good value for academics and policy professionals who need a rigorous historical account, though readers seeking up-to-date data should pair it with more recent sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover Exim operations beyond 1980?
No. The study documents Exim's activities and context through 1980 and was first published in 1982.

Who wrote the book and what is their approach?
Richard E. Feinberg authored the book and applies analytical tools from several disciplines, combining historical narrative with policy analysis.

Is this suitable for policy research?
Yes, it is well suited as a historical and analytical resource for policy research, though contemporary research should supplement it for post-1980 developments.