Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, at beginning of period	$ 1,656,588	$ 1,662,636
Translation adjustments	(15,935)	(4,089)
Balance, at end of period	1,640,653	1,656,588
Capital Markets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, at beginning of period	1,653,588
Balance, at end of period	1,637,653	1,653,588
Accumulated goodwill impairments	51,900	51,900
Goodwill, gross	1,689,600	1,705,500
Asset Management [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, at beginning of period	3,000
Balance, at end of period	3,000	3,000
Accumulated goodwill impairments	2,100	2,100
Goodwill, gross	$ 5,100	5,100
Leucadia [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Purchase accounting adjustment		$ (1,959)