This paper reports the results of several comparisons of operationally defined structural characteristics of the US - Latin American and the Soviet - East European subsystems during the years 1950-1970. Relationships between (1) the distribution of power capabilities and the distribution of diplomatic importance and (2) the distribution of power capabilities and the pattern of international trade are examined in both subsystems. The authors argue that these comparisons are relevant to theoretical controversies regarding the relationships between the political and economic systems of pre-eminent powers and their interactions with weaker states in their 'spheres of influence'. They conclude that capability disparities have a similar impact on diplomatic importance in the two spheres, while the impact of these disparities on international trading patterns is more visible in the Soviet-East European sphere than in the US-Latin American subsystem. Finally, the authors briefly describe more detailed analyses that might lead to firmer conclusions regarding the nature of interstate relationships in the two subsystems.
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