Thesis on "WTO and Trade Negotiations"
Thesis 5 pages (1295 words) Sources: 0
[EXCERPT] . . . .
International TradeCurrent Issues in International Trade
The issue of international trade and increased globalization is one of the most controversial subjects in the worlds of business and politics today. Proponents of globalization claim that there are direct economic benefits for all involved, and point to both higher wages in developing countries and reduced costs worldwide as evidence of this fact. Their calls for reduced tariffs and increased free trade, however, are met with vociferous opposition in the streets and in the halls of government by those who see free trade as simply a new method of exploitation. Human rights violations and environmental degradation, as well as assertions that the complex economic effects of free trade cannot be appropriately analyzed in a reduction to wage and employment rate comparisons, are often cited as reasons that free trade should be curbed, with more control in the hands of the developing world.
The Doha Rounds
The Doha Rounds of World Trade Organization negotiations, which were meant to establish a new era of global free trade, feel apart in 2006 after a bumpy ride nearly decade long. Form the perspective of political realism, it could be said that neither side was willing to concede its own continued security for the greater good of the global system. Countries like the United States demanded the same type of free and open markets exist in all countries that signed onto the free trade deal, whereas developing countries sought better protection for their own markets. This was the essential impasse that brought the talks to a halt.
Liberalist thinkers might place
download full paper ⤓
Both realism and liberalism present related but different possible reasons for the breakdown of the Doha Round of globalization talks, and an examination of domestic politics theories leads to yet another understanding. Domestic self-interest rarely (if ever) completely aligns with global free markets; even if the benefits outweigh the detriments, it is disingenuous to suggest that there aren't any problems associated with globalization and free trade. Without significant compromises by both developed and developing nations as far as their immediate and direct self-interests are concerned, no real free trade agreement can be reached. Domestic self-interest, that is, is not fully compatible with global interests.
Comparative Advantage and Free Trade
The differences between individual domestic interests and overall global interests are what create the differences over time (and in various countries) in attitudes towards free trade. Economists such as Helen Milner posit that despite changing economic and hegemonic landscapes, global economic interdependence will continue to expand, and that protectionism is almost entirely a thing of the past. In drawing this conclusion, she compares the economic situations of the 1920s and the 1970s, and notes the lack of protectionism in the latter period despite similar conditions. Essentially, she argues, "firms with a global web of production and trade will view trade barriers, even at home, as a new cost" (Milner 1988, pp. 361). For this reason, global economic interdependence once found would never rationally be given up, form a purely economic point-of-view. Due to the growth of globalization in the twentieth century then, the… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "WTO and Trade Negotiations" Assignment:
Question: Consider the following observations:
At the meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cancun in 2003, talks aimed
at further liberalization of international trade broke down due to sharp differences of
opinion. Talks were suspended at the WTO meeting in Geneva in 2006.
Meetings of the WTO and other international institutions are now regularly met with
protests in the streets by groups from both rich and poor countries.
Trade politics in the United States have become increasingly polarized and partisan. For
example, when the House of Representatives voted in 2002 to give President Bush *****•fast
track*****– authority, 88 percent of Republicans voted in favor, while 88 percent of Democrats
voted against. Fast track lapsed in 2007 without renewal by Congress.
What factor or factors explain these observations? What are the sources of the opposition to
globalization evident in the streets and in US Congress? Why is the level of discord in
international trade negotiations in the last decade so much higher than in previous decades?
No matter how you answer this question, your discussion should at least include the following
points:
1. What would each theory (i.e. realism, liberalism, and domestic politics) explain the
observation that the negotiations of Doha Round fell apart in Cancun, underscoring the
current tensions in the world trading system?
2. Economists argue that free trade is good for every state for all the time, referring to the
concept of comparative advantage. What is comparative advantage and how do economists
draw the conclusion that free trade is good for every state for all the time? On the other
hand, political scientists argue that states will not embrace free trade all of the time and that
international trading system will be open only under particular conditions. What is the
reason for this discrepancy of the views between economists and political scientists? To
what extent is the openness of the world trading system best explained by international vs.
domestic factors, according to Krasner and Milner?
3. Is globalization good or bad for poor countries? To answer this question, Frank and
Dollar/Kray have different views. In addition to Frank, Friedman, Stiglitz/Charlton, and
Kapur all agree that there are costs associated with the phenomenon of globalization*****”the
costs that have generated a backlash in many parts of the world. Moreover, is globalization
good or bad for workers in poor countries? Krugman and Ross/Chan have different views.
What do you think about these questions?
4. To support your argument, feel free to refer to the documentary film, *****•Mardi Gras: Made in
China.*****– *****
How to Reference "WTO and Trade Negotiations" Thesis in a Bibliography
“WTO and Trade Negotiations.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/international-trade-current-issues/954568. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.
Related Thesis Papers:
Transparency in Trade Negotiations Term Paper
Transparency in Trade Negotiations
In the past, mistrust and false pretence in matters of subsidies, hidden tariffs, and environmental issues between countries have caused trade negotiations to be delayed and… read more
Term Paper 9 pages (2833 words) Sources: 11 Style: APA Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking
WTO and Russia Term Paper
Russia and the WTO
Membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) benefits the trade posture of member nations and so is sought as a way of gaining access to more… read more
Term Paper 4 pages (1233 words) Sources: 4 Style: MLA Topic: Asian History / Asia
World Trade Organization Research Proposal
World Trade Organization
WTO's origins and history
World Trade Organization (WTO) is a trade organization that was created in 1995, being the successor of General Agreement of Tariffs and trade… read more
Research Proposal 5 pages (1515 words) Sources: 4 Style: MLA Topic: Latin America / Mexico / Caribbean
Global Trade Term Paper
Global Trade
There are a variety of elements that play a role in World Trade negotiations. The fact that many different countries from both the developed and developing world are… read more
Term Paper 6 pages (2015 words) Sources: 1+ Style: MLA Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking
Trade Issues Surrounding an Internationally Traded Good Term Paper
Trade Issues Surrounding an Internationally Traded Good or Service of Your Choice
Trade Issues for Agricultural Products
With market liberalization and globalization, along came a multitude of issues which must… read more
Term Paper 6 pages (2013 words) Sources: 12 Style: APA Topic: Agriculture / Food / Culinary
Sat, Oct 5, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!