Shadow Trading by International Tourists in the Soviet Union

• NCJ Number: 120831
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: (1989) Pages: 417-421
• Author(s): M Fish; L Edwards
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

International travelers often participate in the large shadow economy operating in the Soviet Union.

Abstract

Many international travelers who are accessible to indigenes become suppliers in the Soviet underground markets. Tourists appear to be free to carry out these semilegal to illegal transactions without harassment or government interference unless they are dealing with drugs or illegal currencies. The explanation for this lack of deterrence may be in the symbiotic interaction between the Soviet official and alternative economies. International tourists operating in the shadow economy lessen consumer pressures in the Soviets' overall economic system. 9 notes, 13 references. (Author abstract)