The restructuring of most European industries may have taken an irreversible turn. However, is this a turn in the right direction? Is European industry becoming more competitive? This book evaluates what has been accomplished to date and what the key remaining policy and managerial tasks are for the 1990s.

This report addresses the most important challenges facing the Latin America and Caribbean region as it attempts to replace its traditional economic and social structures, including populist institutions, with a modern, efficient, administrative state. The analysis focuses on the political economy of pending reforms and their ramifications. The report discusses (1) recent economic and political developments; (2) systemic issues such as high real interest and unemployment rates and declining export growth; (3) social policies and the need to consolidate macroeconomic stability; and (4) how to define and build the new Latin American state. An appendix provides detailed information on selected country performance.

This book, first published in 1989, addresses an issue that stood at the centre of sociological concern – the changing character of industrial societies. The authors examine the nature of the industrialization process, in terms of its impact upon and development within both state socialist and capitalist societies. Is ‘industrialism’ a constant phenomenon within both kinds of society, or are distinctive differences apparent? In the 1960s, it did seem that economic growth and technological change were producing similarities in social structure between the different socio-political systems; it now appears however that the crisis that have developed during the 1980s how illustrated their contrasts. Through the analysis of this trend in the West, in Eastern Europe and in China the authors clarify central issues for the student of sociology: The changing character of national states, organized labour, stratification systems and class relationships Processes of social integration, cohesion and control The extent to which dominant groups are able to sustain social and economic privileges in different socio-economic systems The changing pattern of work and employment relationships The nature of class, gender and ethnicity as sources of socio-economic division

Known internationally as ‘Mr. Shareholding’ economist, Li Yining has had a transformative impact on China's economic transition, most notably as an early advocate of ownership reform and in his promotion of shareholding theory. By examining the interrelationship between the government, enterprises and the market, Chinese Economy in Disequilibrium presents an in-depth discussion on the issues of resource allocation, industrial structure, institutional innovation and economic fluctuation in the current Chinese economy under the condition of disequilibrium. Credited with developing the theory of economic disequilibrium, Professor Li distinguishes two types of disequilibrium on the basis of whether or not the majority of firms in the economy are viable profit-makers. In Chinese Economy in Disequilibrium, Professor Li points out that not only has China’s economy been in a state of disequilibrium, but it also has issues with enterprises not being under budget constraint. Given the limitations of market regulation under economic disequilibrium, Professor Li advocates the reform of the enterprise system and upholds the government’s leading role in the establishment of order in the socialist commodity economy. A number of measures are also proposed with the aim of facilitating the transition of China’s economy from disequilibrium to equilibrium. The central theme is that the reform and transition are means to serve economic growth and social development, which would eventually benefit the ordinary citizens in society. Yining Li is a Professor of Economics and Emeritus Dean of Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management. He is one of China’s foremost economists, and the author of twenty books and numerous articles on a wide range of economic subjects including reform and development in China. He has received a number of prestigious awards and honours for his research. As the leading proponent of a market economy in China, Professor Li has had a tremendous influence on China’s economic reform policy over the last three decades. He has served on the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China and is currently Vice-Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.