ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book argues that the process of liberalization is encouraged by the absence of agreement at the political level regarding the implementation of a stabilization program. It provides a comparative analysis of the origins, control, and financial performance of enterprises in Brazil and Mexico. The book seeks to compare the experiences of Brazil and Peru with regard to the impact of public enterprises on the distribution of income and find that the impact has been negative. It is concerned with the strategy of the Brazilian state in dealing with the serious situation that 80 percent of its petroleum must be imported. The book demonstrates that energy is part of an overall strategy of development and shows how pursuit of this strategy has led Brazil and the United States to diverge in their foreign policies.