The World Trade Organization

1. The World Trade Organization ..the good ..the bad ..the ugly

2. About the World Trade Organization Supporters of the World Trade Organization Restructuring Advocates Trade Liberalization Reactionaries Conclusions Questions Introduction

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 dat • Reactionaries tend toward emotions

8. The World Trade Organization Questions???