This paper attempts to define a research agenda that will explore the
relationships among gender, markets and states, taking account of the
recent and continuing processes of market liberalization, regionalizat
ion, and transformation of the relations between states and societies.
It argues that, in order to understand what market liberalization or
the formation of regional economic blocs might mean for women, one nee
ds to look beyond market activity per se to nonmarket activity and to
women's wellbeing more generally. It selectively reviews some of the l
iterature on structural adjustment and regional trading blocs in order
to clarify underlying concepts, and point to new directions for empir
ical research. In the penultimate section it raises a set of policy an
d research questions on the role that women's nongovernmental organiza
tions can play in shaping the emerging relationships between governmen
ts and the private sector. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd