Powers and limits of transnational corporations: The case of ADM

This analysis employs the case of lysine price fixing involving the food-pr ocessing transnational corporation (TNC) Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and A sian-based firms. In an "economy and society" conceptual framework grounded in the sociology of agriculture and food, we investigate the powers and li mits of TNCs in the global era. We argue that TNCs maintain significant pow ers which allow them to avoid the laws and regulations of nation-states. AD M was able to organize an illegal global cartel to control the world produc tion and price of the feed supplement lysine. In addition, TNCs' actions in the global arena are limited by their inability to trust business partners and to organize and maintain systems of social control; these roles histor ically have been played by the nation-state. We conclude that despite their significant powers, TNCs' contradictory position in the global arena provi des opportunities that can be used to democratize society.