Neo-liberalism and market concentration in Brazil: The emergence of a contradiction?

This article examines the degree of market and firm competitiveness that developed in Brazil in the 15 years since the introduction of neo-liberal policies. In particular, it evaluates the extent to which trade liberalization and the freeing-up of domestic markets has resulted in more competitive firm performance and market structures. It shows that although the aim of opening Brazil's economy and of privatizing its publicly owned firms was to expose the country to domestic and international market forces, it has paradoxically increased ownership concentration of its industries. (C) 2007 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. All rights reserved.