Liberalization in the Developing World

This work compares the introduction of policies of economic liberalization in the developing world during the 1980s. Case studies of various countries show that political democratization does not have to accompany economic liberalization.
This volume compares the success of liberalization strategies in Asia, Africa and Latin America during the 1980s. Three models emerge, corresponding to the three continents covered, which reflect the degree of state intervention in the economy and the success of the liberalization policies adopted. The conclusions drawn demonstrate that economic and political liberalization do not have to go hand in hand. On the contrary, the case studies presented in this volume show that the role of the state can be crucial in mobilizing both the human and capital investment needed to be able to compete in international economy.