Research
Academic Articles
Working Papers
Books published
Chapters published
Presentations
Sub-Saharan Competition Database

Biography
Contact
Search

Can the WTO Rise to the Challenge of Economic Development?   Forthcoming in Aussenwirthschaft. A version of this paper will be published in Decision Making in the Global Market: Trade, Standards and the Consumer by Consumers International in September 2005.

Abstract

Looking back over the first four years of negotiation of the Doha Round this paper identifies and discusses a number of factors that are shaping negotiations among WTO members as they try to fulfil the development mandate for this multilateral trade negotiation. These factors are not just diplomatic in nature, indeed many relate to changes in how many view the potential impact of further multilateral trade rules and the "legacy" effects of existing rules. Some of the proposed changes to WTO governance processes are assessed in the light of these considerations, and many are found wanting. The paper concludes that the fundamental implications of adopting a development mandate have not yet been comprehensively taken on board by WTO members and their officials.