Firms increasingly cooperate internationally to establish rules and standards of behavior for themselves and others, taking on the mantle of authority to govern specific issue areas. This study explores the meaning of this private international authority, both for policy and theory, through case studies of specific industries, associations, and issue areas in both contemporary and historical perspective. Discussion encompasses private and public management of mineral markets, bond-rating agencies and coordination in the global political economy, and the globalization of intellectual property rights. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)