This book provides an overview of the contemporary debate about the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the BRIC countries with a special focus on Russia. Conclusions are based on historical perspectives showing that there are huge country-specific divergences and concepts of supporting SMEs. In contrast to multi-national corporations (MNCs), which are not uncommonly supported by the government of the fast-developing country they stem from respectively they are entering and can continue their triumph easily, SMEs often face tremendous difficulties to establish...