In general, liberalization refers to a relaxation of previous government restrictions, usually in areas of social or economic policy.
In the arena of social policy it may refer to a relaxation of laws restricting for example divorce, abortion, homosexuality or drugs.
Most often, the term is used to refer to economic liberalization, especially trade liberalization or capital market liberalization, policies often referred to as neoliberalism.
Liberalization and privatization
Although economic liberalization is often associated with privatization, the two can be quite separate processes. For example, the European Union has liberalized gas and electricity markets, instituting a system of competition; but some of the leading European energy companies (such as EDF and Vattenfall) remain partially or completely in government ownership.
The impact of liberalisation measures on the rice, maize and sorghum sectors of Nicaragua.
The liberalisation of the cereal sector in Mali.
Liberalisation of the markets for seeds and pesticides has only modest implications for impact in the short run, but in the long run the impact, particularly that of seed, is likely to be perceptibly large.
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