Introduction
Introduction
The postwar economic order dominated by the United States is unraveling. In its place is emerging a world dominated by three major trading blocs controlled by the leading industrial powers of Europe, North America and East Asia. If the movement toward such a tripolar system continues, all countries outside those blocs—the industrializing but heavily indebted countries of Latin America, the impoverished nations of the Third World and the East-bloc countries that are belatedly entering the free-market system—will be at a decided disadvantage and may fall further behind.