Book excerpt: Published in 1997, this volume examines why foreign investment restrictions put in place during the 1950s and 1960s have been largely removed in recent years. Illustrations from ten countries are used to demonstrate the liberalizing movement, and the author analyzes the differences among sectors with regard to rationales and changes in rationales suggesting why many societies have chosen to retain certain restrictions even with the general liberalization. On this basis recommendations are presented in the book with regard to alternative mechanisms for achieving the original national objectives.