Bringing together an international and multidisciplinary group of experts, this is the first comprehensive volume to analyze conglomerates and economic groups in developing countries and transition economies. Using sixteen in-depth case studies it provides a comparative framework for the study of contemporary process of privatization, economic and financial liberalization and neoliberal globalization.

Exploring the various causes and economic, social and political effects of the rise of ‘big business’ in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe, the main issues that are examined include:

* the nature of contemporary economic concentration
* the relations between ‘local’ and ‘external’ investors
* the impact on development, and on economic and political control over its direction
* the new role of the state towards conglomerates and economics groups
* the effects of economic and political changes on the legitimacy of the state and large companies.

Table of Contents:

1. The New Expansion of Conglomerates and Economic Groups: An Introduction to Global Neoliberalization and Local Power Shifts Alex E. Fernández Jilberto and Barbara Hogenboom Part I: Asia
2 Public versus Private: Governance in East Asia in the Age of Globalization Kurt W. Radtke
3. Conglomerates in Indonesia: The Road to Power and Beyond J. Thomas Lindblad
4. The Rise of Taiwanese Family-Owned Business Groups in the Telecommunication Industry Momoko Kawakami
5. Conglomerates in Iran: The Political Economy of Islamic Foundations Eva Rakel Part II: Latin America
6. Latin American Conglomerates in the Neoliberal Era: The Politics of Economic Concentration in Chile and Mexico Alex E. Fernández Jilberto and Barbara Hogenboom
7. Economic Groups and the Rise and Collapse of Neoliberalism in Argentina Miguel Teubal
8. Economic Flexibilization and Denationalization in Brazil Roberto Rocco
9. Transnationals, Grupos and Business Associations in the Privatization of Central America’s Telecommunications Benedicte Bull
10. The Viagra Effect: Pharmaceutical Giants and the Puerto Rican Economy Antonio Carmona Báez Part III: Africa
11. The Neoliberalizing African State and Private Capital Accumulation: The Case of Cameroon Piet Konings
12. The Resilience of Comprador Capitalism: ‘New’ Economic Groups in Southern Africa Stefan Andreasson
13. African Regional Groupings and Emerging Chinese Conglomerates Kwame Nimako
14. The Risky Business of Cocoa in Ghana: Local Entrepreneurs in a Buyer-Driven Chain Anna Laven Part IV: Easterrn Europe
15. The Kremlin and the Oligarchs: Clashing Economic Interests in Russia André Mommen, Vasiliy Valuev and Serghei Golunov
16. The Rise of Conglomerates in Ukraine: The Donetsk Case Hans van Zon 17. The Impact of Multinational Investment in Central and Eastern Europe Wioletta Niemiec and Mariusz Niemiec