The World Trade Organization

1
The World Trade Organization

• ..the good
• ..the bad
• ..the ugly

2
Introduction

• About the World Trade Organization
• Supporters of the World Trade Organization
• Restructuring Advocates
• Trade Liberalization Reactionaries
• Conclusions
• Questions

3
About the WTO

• Formed out of GATT 1994
• Instituted 1995
• Primary objective
• Members
• Differing viewpoints

4
Supporters of the WTO

• Back breaking down trade barriers, opening new
  markets
• Formal organization with power to review and rule
  on disputes
• Proactive with agenda
• Mutually beneficial for GN and GS countries
• Global governance

5
Restructuring Advocates

• Not democratic or transparent
• Closed-door meetings
• Old boy network
• Structure benefits the global north over the
  global south

6
Trade Liberalization Reactionaries

• Institution is just a manipulative tool of the
  global north
• No accountability to country-members citizens
• Unrepresentative of citizens/ civil society/
  public interests

7
Conclusions

• Reformers make the best case
• Disparities between global north and global south
• Supporters lack data
• Reactionaries tend toward emotions

8
The World Trade Organization
Questions???