This book contains papers on some 25 countries written by experts directly connected with privatisation, either as academics or as policy makers and practitioners, with a comparative review at the end by the editor. It highlights the major factors in the success and the failings of privatisation attempts in different countries in Europe, America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australasia. In particular there are studies on the evolving experience of transformation to free market economy in the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe.