The central objective of this volume is to examine the political implications of globalization for developing countries. Global economic integration poses a formidable dilemma for the Third World state. While there are compelling external pressures to liberalize domestic economies, market-oriented reforms threaten the economic well-being of various societal groups. Popular resistance to these reforms has been strong throughout the developing world. This book examines the political strategies employed by Third World governments to maintain reform programmes in the face of domestic opposition. State elites have adopted various political strategies designed to defuse opposition. These strategies have typically involved some combination of coercion and compromise. The contributors describe and explain variation in strategic choice cross-nationally. The book includes thematic chapters and detailed case-studies from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

General editor: Timothy M. Shaw