Gautam Sen
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780199261437
- eISBN:
- 9780191599309
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199261431.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
An examination is made of the relationship between the US and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and its successor, the World Trade Organization, addressing the crucial question of ...
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An examination is made of the relationship between the US and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and its successor, the World Trade Organization, addressing the crucial question of the likelihood that the US will exit, or through its behaviour undermine, the multilateral trade organization in favour of regional or bilateral alternatives. It is concluded that the probability of a US‐inspired weakening of the WTO is low, although the incentives for protectionism in the US are strong and growing as a result of globalization and the changing international division of labour. The US domestic political system gives voice to such protectionist interests in international trade policy through a set of administrative and legal remedies that are reinforced by principles such as reciprocity and ‘fair trade’. Countervailing factors to this situation include the growing power of US export interests, the effectiveness of the Executive in deflecting the protectionist tendencies in the US Congress, and the exceptional power and influence of the US over the multilateral regime, in which it is a rule maker rather than a rule taker, enjoying the power to bend the rules selectively to serve its interests. As such, the WTO tends to reflect and reinforce US economic interests, and the US is, therefore, likely to continue in overall terms its efforts to comply with and generally strengthen the multilateral organization, rather than to break away from it.Less
An examination is made of the relationship between the US and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and its successor, the World Trade Organization, addressing the crucial question of the likelihood that the US will exit, or through its behaviour undermine, the multilateral trade organization in favour of regional or bilateral alternatives. It is concluded that the probability of a US‐inspired weakening of the WTO is low, although the incentives for protectionism in the US are strong and growing as a result of globalization and the changing international division of labour. The US domestic political system gives voice to such protectionist interests in international trade policy through a set of administrative and legal remedies that are reinforced by principles such as reciprocity and ‘fair trade’. Countervailing factors to this situation include the growing power of US export interests, the effectiveness of the Executive in deflecting the protectionist tendencies in the US Congress, and the exceptional power and influence of the US over the multilateral regime, in which it is a rule maker rather than a rule taker, enjoying the power to bend the rules selectively to serve its interests. As such, the WTO tends to reflect and reinforce US economic interests, and the US is, therefore, likely to continue in overall terms its efforts to comply with and generally strengthen the multilateral organization, rather than to break away from it.
G. BRUCE DOERN and STEPHEN WILKS
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198280620
- eISBN:
- 9780191684371
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198280620.003.0009
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Economy
This chapter discusses a recent study by the Canadian Bureau of Competition Policy that concludes that the new focus on environmental regulation and competition law reflects a broader trend involving ...
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This chapter discusses a recent study by the Canadian Bureau of Competition Policy that concludes that the new focus on environmental regulation and competition law reflects a broader trend involving the internationalization of a wide range of policies which, up to now, have been considered domestic in nature. The chapter first reviews international efforts at harmonization. It then analyses outstanding issues with respect to the interface between domestic competition policy and international trade policy. The third section briefly evaluates the institutional implications that other countries are likely to face in the future if progress is to be made in the international co-ordination.Less
This chapter discusses a recent study by the Canadian Bureau of Competition Policy that concludes that the new focus on environmental regulation and competition law reflects a broader trend involving the internationalization of a wide range of policies which, up to now, have been considered domestic in nature. The chapter first reviews international efforts at harmonization. It then analyses outstanding issues with respect to the interface between domestic competition policy and international trade policy. The third section briefly evaluates the institutional implications that other countries are likely to face in the future if progress is to be made in the international co-ordination.
Margaret Levi
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198077473
- eISBN:
- 9780199081745
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198077473.003.0009
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This chapter examines the transformation of the landscape of political power in the United States and reflects on the current state of American democracy by looking at the democratizing synergy ...
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This chapter examines the transformation of the landscape of political power in the United States and reflects on the current state of American democracy by looking at the democratizing synergy between political associations and governmental institutions. The emphasis is on labour unions, whose decline in power can be attributed in part to their increasing inability—or perhaps simply lack of commitment—to transform the narrow material interests of members into an aggregate preference for the general weal. This has implications for domestic policies and international trade policy, which the chapter discusses by analysing the politics surrounding outsourcing from the United States to India. The chapter also explores the opposition of many American labour unions and workers to outsourcing, and considers fair trade.Less
This chapter examines the transformation of the landscape of political power in the United States and reflects on the current state of American democracy by looking at the democratizing synergy between political associations and governmental institutions. The emphasis is on labour unions, whose decline in power can be attributed in part to their increasing inability—or perhaps simply lack of commitment—to transform the narrow material interests of members into an aggregate preference for the general weal. This has implications for domestic policies and international trade policy, which the chapter discusses by analysing the politics surrounding outsourcing from the United States to India. The chapter also explores the opposition of many American labour unions and workers to outsourcing, and considers fair trade.
Christos Pitelis
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- August 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198706205
- eISBN:
- 9780191775307
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198706205.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare, Macro- and Monetary Economics
This chapter presents a wide critical discussion on the various perspectives and principles of developmental industrial policy (DIP) and in doing so explores its close links with international trade ...
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This chapter presents a wide critical discussion on the various perspectives and principles of developmental industrial policy (DIP) and in doing so explores its close links with international trade policy (ITP). The chapter proceeds by then identifying and subsequently debunking ten myths/false dichotomies associated with the debate on developmental industrial policy. Instead, Pitelis proposes an alternative set of principles (for DIP) based upon utilizing/integrating contemporary concepts, such as co-opetition, glocalization, manuservices, and public-private-polity partnerships. Exploring these concepts more deeply, the chapter suggests business policy and strategy can be carefully used to inform contemporary DIP. Pitelis concludes that, extant political and governance structures notwithstanding, such an approach to industrial policy could provide firms and national economies with genuine sustainable competitive advantage.Less
This chapter presents a wide critical discussion on the various perspectives and principles of developmental industrial policy (DIP) and in doing so explores its close links with international trade policy (ITP). The chapter proceeds by then identifying and subsequently debunking ten myths/false dichotomies associated with the debate on developmental industrial policy. Instead, Pitelis proposes an alternative set of principles (for DIP) based upon utilizing/integrating contemporary concepts, such as co-opetition, glocalization, manuservices, and public-private-polity partnerships. Exploring these concepts more deeply, the chapter suggests business policy and strategy can be carefully used to inform contemporary DIP. Pitelis concludes that, extant political and governance structures notwithstanding, such an approach to industrial policy could provide firms and national economies with genuine sustainable competitive advantage.
