This is an effort to trace the convoluted interplay of political, economic and social factors in the postwar history of the Philippines. There are case studies of the sugar, coconut and fruit-products industries and interesting discussions of how Marcos gained and lost the support of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank; how he weakened the landowning groups; how he used state enterprises for private gain; why the Philippines is not like Korea and Taiwan, and more. But somehow it all does not quite come together.