WTO是否缺乏合理性？DoestheWTOlacklegitimacy.pptVIP

Topic 12 – Does the WTO lack legitimacy? The significance of this topic is that there has been a growing protest movement against the WTO and other international institutions. The feeling is that decisions are being made by ‘faceless bureaucrats’ who are not accountable to those who are affected by their decisions. Is this view justified? One point of view – the WTO lacks legitimacy What has led to this crisis of legitimacy Ever broader reach of the trade system into other issues such as environment and labour The WTO has moved beyond ‘technical’ matters into political issues (winners and losers from its decisions) Membership is not representative – not all people could be said to be represented adequately by their government eg: non-democratic regimes The processes of the WTO are not representative because in reality only a few countries make the real decisions and the rest are coerced or persuaded to go along with them What are the main concerns of those arguing a lack of legitimacy The ‘losers’ from trade liberalization want a ‘legitimate’ process of decision making Culture and values need to be left intact rather than being overridden by ‘economic’ issues The distribution of gains from liberalization is not fair 代写Assignment What aspects of the WTO are of most concern? Closed and secretive decision making – which ‘special interests’ really determine direction? Governments use the WTO as an ‘escape’ mechanism – ‘we have to do this because of WTO requirements’ What needs to be done? The WTO needs greater connection to the public through inclusion of NGOs, greater transparency, and inclusion of civil society groups The WTO needs to confine itself to basic issues - trade liberalization – and not get involved in other issues The WTO needs to be seen to be ‘fair’ in its processes There needs to be more ‘checks’ and ‘balances’ in the WTO system Alternative point of View – the WTO is legitimate The source of the WTOs legitimacy is its member governments and gover