Transnational Corporations And Underdevelopment

Do investments by multinational corporations in less developed countries enhance or hinder economic development in those countries? This volume presents a re-evaulation of twenty-seven of the most important studies which were carried out to answer this question. The authors attempt to resolve the disparate findings which show that investment promotes short-run growth but in the long run retards growth. They also present a careful empirical analysis of the intervening political, social, and economic mechanisms through which the effects of investment are transmitted. The volume will clarify much speculation which has taken place about the world-systems perspective and will point the way toward more research which can resolve disputed areas of this theory.

Problems of development in what is normally called the Third World have been a subject matter of concern of the social sciences, lespecially of eco nomics, for over two decades now. 1 Between the late 1950s and the current time, as Chapter 2 attempts to show, the emphasis seems to have shifted from purely economic considerations of underdevelopment to a paradigm that includes other, extra-economic considerations of a social, political, and cultural nature. The recent emergence of development studies as a new social science discipline stems precisely from the methodological premise that development is a complex process that can only be adequately under of a stood, analyzed, and alleviated by a cross-disciplinary approach instead 2 wholly unidisciplinary one. We do not wish to challenge the above proposition. However, it remains of certain economic phenomena that pose problems true that an assessment of to developing countries can offer us greater insights into problems development, including the formulation of appropriate policies aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions in such countries. is restrictive business practices. This study is con One such phenomenon of restrictive business practices as they cerned mainly with surveying aspects relate to problems of development in the Third World. Restrictive business xiii xiv INTRODUCTION practices are not confined to developing countries; however, limited work seems to have been conducted in terms of relating the concept of restrictive business practices to problems of development. The existing evidence of restrictive business practices in the development process is quite fragmen tary.

Examines transnational corporations and their effect on local labour and capital, and considers the future prospects for their involvement in the Third World.

Transnational corporations are one of the most important actors in the global economy, occupying a more powerful position than ever before. In their persistent battle to increase profits, they have increasingly turned to the developing world, a world that holds many attractions for them. But what is their impact on the poor? Now in its second edition, Big Business, Poor Peoples finds that these corporations are damaging the lives of millions of poor people in developing countries. Looking at every sector where transnational corporations are involved, this vital book is packed with detail on how the poor are affected. The book exposes how developing countries’ natural resources are being ceded to TNCs and how governments are unwilling or unable to control them. The author argues that TNCs, answerable to no one but their shareholders, have used their money, size and power to influence international negotiations and taken full advantage of the move towards privatization to influence government policies; sovereignty is passing into corporate hands, and the poor are paying the price. But people are fighting back: citizens, workers, and communities are exposing the corporations and looking for alternatives. The first edition of this path-breaking book put the issue of transnational corporations and the poor firmly on the agenda. This second edition contains significant new and updated material and is an essential read for anyone who wants to know more about the effects of corporate power on the poor.

This book represents the first attempt to conceptualize the social and cultural impact of transnational enterprises on host nations and to provide empirical and analytical material on the subject. Well-known social scientists focus on three critical areas: social inequalities, knowledge systems, and lifestyles and values. Collectively, they advance

This volume brings together world experts in international business who offer a commentary on the key activities of transnational corporations including strategy, economic development, government policy, technology and law