This provocative volume emphasizes the necessity of coming to grips with historic and contemporary corporatism in order to fully comprehend Latin American and Iberian development on its own terms and in its own sociopolitical context. Professor Wiarda fully explores corporatism-its theory and practice (and the vast gap between the two), its ideology and historical roots, and its sociology and political economy. Providing background materials, comparative and empirical data, and case studies, he uncovers new areas of research for historians, social scientists, and area specialists. Although the focus of this potentially controversial book is on Latin American development, it shows as well how corporatism has relevance for our understanding of recent changes in the United States and other advanced industrial societies.