Built to Break

The International System of Bottlenecks in the New Era of Monopoly
Policy Paper
March 1, 2012

Almost unnoticed, the world has become increasingly dependent on one or two suppliers for key materials and parts. How did this happen? The author traces the evolution of a new and powerful trend in international business that goes largely unnoticed. The consequences, however, are clear. The world is far more susceptible than ever before to industrial disruption, and even crashes, due to events in only one country.