Tin in the World Economy

Tin is unusual among primary commodities in that a small number of less developed countries have been responsible for the bulk of world production aimed mainly at the Western market. This book traces the political economy of the tin industry from the mid-19th century to the present day. Placing the commodity within its historical context, it discusses attempts to cartelize the industry in the inter-war years and to control the price of tin by international agreement in the post-war period. It also includes an analysis of the development effects of tin exporting and an account of the great structural changes in the industry since the collapse of the International Tin Agreement in 1985. The book includes discussion of the industry in England (Cornwall), Bolivia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil and elsewhere. This guide is intended for businessmen in the mining sector and students of commodity economics and development economics, from higher undergraduate level upwards. John T. Thorburn is also the author of "Primary Commodity Exports and Economic Development" (Wiley) and "Multinationals, Mining and Development" (Gower").