Final answer:
The act by which a government takes control of a foreign company or investor's assets is called expropriation, but when the government maintains control and the entity becomes publicly owned, it is specifically termed nationalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The governmental action to dispossess a foreign company or investor is known as expropriation. This process involves the government taking control of property, including economic assets like land or an entire industry, which can sometimes happen without financial compensation. However, when the government takes control and the entity becomes publicly owned with the intent of the government to maintain control, this is specifically known as nationalization. While often used interchangearily with expropriation, nationalization typically implies compensation for the dispossessed parties. Both are a form of government intervention in economic matters, distinct from confiscation, which is the act of taking property without compensation, usually for legal or disciplinary reasons.