Private sector activity is an essential element of any successful economic development plan. It shapes the investment climate, mobilizes innovation and financing, and can increase or decrease the level of harm that might accompany development projects. This volume, emerging from the Brookings Blum Roundtable, investigates ways to galvanize the private sector and bring its resources to bear in the war against global poverty. The authors describe how the private sector affects growth and poverty alleviation, and they examine the social and environmental impact of private sector activities. In addition to offering a clear overview of the current issues, Lael Brainard and her colleagues assess current initiatives and provide guidance on new activities and partnerships that could potentially improve global economic conditions.