ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the evolution of post-war priorities for industrial development in the advanced countries, both Western and socialist, and the less developed countries (LDCs). It focuses on the broad thrust of national policy and examines the policy priorities applied to the manufacturing sector. The early ambitions of planners and politicians in the LDCs to diversify away from economies dominated by agrarian and mining activities are traced, as are the policies adopted in advanced countries. The chapter examines structural change in the manufacturing sector and considers various economic determinants of the pattern of development in the manufacturing sector. It presents the detailed analysis of the changes which have occurred since the Second World War in the composition of the manufacturing sector in different blocs of countries. The chapter looks at several specific industries: automobiles, steel, consumer electronics, advanced electronics and oil refining.
