Competition Policies in Emerging Economies

In the 80's and 90's, Latin American countries instituted deregulation reforms in order to be more economically competitive. This book analyzes two key industries to gage the impact of those reforms and offer lessons for other transitional economies.

As countries large and small, rich and poor are drawn inexorably into the global economy, protectionist policies are proving increasingly inefficient and ineffective for driving growth. The countries of Latin America, which have long pursued agendas of state ownership and heavy regulation of key industries, began to institute a series of reforms in the 1980s and 1990s, designed to promote competition and business creation. However, without the legal and institutional framework to support these policies (and thus guarantee resource-efficient behavior on the part of business owners), the record has been spotty at best.

Competition Policies in Emerging Economies features in-depth analysis of two key industriestelecommunications and bankingin several Central American nations to shed light on the dynamics of the transition to deregulation and trade liberalization, and learn from the experiences of these economies. This book has a three-fold purpose: (1) to examine the competition conditions and policies of small developing countries of Central America (and hence cover an area where very little information exists); (2) develop an in-depth analysis of regulation and competition policies in two key industrial sectors with poor competition records (telecommunications and banking); (3) link the former results analysis with other international experiences, in order to derive research and policy recommendations that can be applied to other small, developing, and emerging economies. Featuring discussion of political, legal, economic, financial, cultural, and organization-level issues, the book provides unique perspectives on the forces resisting competitive practices and offers suggestions for overcoming them.

Provides in-depth case studies and analysis of deregulation in volatile industries by regional experts Applies lessons from Latin America to other transition economies around the world Sponsored by Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean; co-published with International Development Research Centre

Klappentext

Do small developing economies, or SDEs, need a specific competition policy to create competitive markets? Against the backdrop of globalization, protectionist policies that promote state ownership and heavy regulation of key industries are proving increasingly ineffective for driving growth. Countries around the world are instituting reforms to promote competition and business creation, yet the economic and political concentration of power, feeble judicial systems, and the scarcity of human and financial resources pose special challenges to SDEs. Competition Policies in Emerging Economies features an in-depth analysis of two strategic industriestelecommunications and bankingin several Central American nations which sheds light on the dynamics of the transition to deregulation and trade liberalization. Examining the lessons learned from these experiences and presenting discussion of political, legal, economic, financial, cultural, and organizational issues, the book provides unique perspectives on competition policy and economic development. Competition Policies in Emerging Economies is primarily intended for decision-makers and policy analysts in international trade and economics, and will also appeal to researchers, academics, students, and professionals in the fields of institutional and development economics, international trade, and international affairs.

Inhalt
Markets in Central America and Mexico: What Is Happening with Competition?.- Models of Privatization and Development of Competition in Telecommunications in Central America and Mexico.- Competition and Regulation in the Banking Systems of Central America and Mexico: A Comparative Study.- Advantages and Limitations of Costa Rica's Experience in Competition Policy. A Benchmark for the Rest of the Countries of the Central American Region.- Banking Competition in Mexico.- Findings in an International Perspective.