Global Electrification
Multinational Enterprise and International Finance in the History of Light and Power, 1878–2007

This book offers an analysis of multinational enterprise throughout the world by examining the spread of electrification.

William J. Hausman (Author), Peter Hertner (Author), Mira Wilkins (Author)

9780521880350, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 April 2008

512 pages
23.5 x 16.1 x 3.6 cm, 0.92 kg

'The novelties of multinational finance that accompanied - and made possible - the electrification process throughout the world constitute the focus of this ambitious book … this book enriches the understanding of how electric-power systems evolved …' The Journal of Interdisciplinary History

This book examines how multinational enterprises and international finance influenced the course of electrification around the world. Multinational enterprises played a crucial role in the spread of electric light and power from the 1870s through the first three decades of the twentieth century. However, their role did not persist, and by 1978 multinational enterprises in this sector had all but disappeared, replaced by electrical utility providers with national business structures. Yet, in recent years, there has been a vigorous revival. This book, a co-operative effort by the three authors and a group of experts from many countries, offers an analysis of the history of multinational enterprise. The authors take an integrated approach, not simply comparing national electrification experiences, but supplying a truly global account.

Part I. Concepts: 1. Invention and spread of electrical utilities with a measure of the extent of foreign ownership
2. Multinational enterprise and international finance
Part II. Changes: 3. Every city, 1880–1914
4. War, the first nationalization, restructuring, and renewal, 1914–29
5. Basic infrastructure, 1929–45
Part III. Conclusions: 6. Summary of the domestication pattern to 1978
7. Coming full circle, 1978–2007, and a global perspective.

Subject Areas: History of engineering & technology [TBX], Economic history [KCZ], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], General & world history [HBG]