Latin America's Quest for Globalization
The Role of Spanish Firms
New Regionalisms Series

Investments by Spanish firms in Latin America have grown since the early 1990s by taking over many of the state-owned firms put out to tender. Second only to the United States, these investments make Spain one of the largest markets of foreign direct investment for Latin America. This multidisciplinary volume focuses on the emergence of Spanish multinational enterprises in this region. Furthermore, it analyzes the sociological and political consequences of these investments and exhibits several theoretical and methodological approaches that make the book a useful aid for teaching. It is essential reading for those who want to understand structural reforms, their consequences and the international impact of economic reform.

Contents: Foreword, Ralph S. Clem; Preface, Eduardo A. Gamarra; Introduction. The role of Spanish firms in Latin America's structural reforms: 1989-2005, Félix E. Martín and Pablo Toral; Spanish direct investment in Latin America, 1960-2002, Juan José Durán; The advantage of Spanish firms in Latin America, 1990-2002, Pablo Toral; The transformation of the Spanish economy and FDI in Latin America: towards a new theoretical framework, Sebastián Royo; Spanish foreign policy in Latin America, Javier Maestro; The foreign conquest of Latin American banking: what's happening and why?, James R. Barth, Triphon Phumiwasana and Glenn Yago; Big Spanish banks in Brazil: anything different in their asset and credit allocation?, Harry M. Makler and Walter L. Ness, Jr; Spanish banks in Latin America: do they need each other?, Álvaro Calderón; Spanish telecoms in Latin America: Telefónica, Fernando Gallardo; Stakeholder impact of Telefónica's Latin American investments, Michael Periu, Jr; The prospects of Spanish investment in the Latin American energy sector: will the reconquest unravel?, Gustavo de las Casas; Challenges for Spanish investments in the Latin American energy industry, Carlos Seiglie; The socio-political dimension of Spanish direct investment in Latin America, Félix E. Martín; The Latin American image of Spain in the aftermath of recent investments, Joaquín Roy; Conclusions: challenges and opportunities of foreign investments in Latin America, Maria-Angels Oliva and Luis A. Rivera-Batiz; Index.

Félix E. Martín, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at Florida International University, USA. Pablo Toral, Ph.D. is Mouat Junior Chair of International Studies in the Department of Political Science, Beloit College, USA.