Cultural Products and the World Trade Organization
Tania Voon, CULTURAL PRODUCTS AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, Cambridge University Press, 2007
35 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2008 Last revised: 12 Aug 2013
Abstract
Debate about trade and culture has a long history, but the application of WTO rules to cultural products such as films, radio and books remains one of the most divisive issues in the organisation. After assessing the economic and social arguments for treating cultural products differently from things like steel or wheat, this book explains how the vastly different views of WTO Members in earlier negotiations led to an outcome that is disappointing for all. It goes on to provide a comprehensive evaluation of possible solutions, including evolution of the law through WTO dispute settlement, a new agreement outside the WTO, or reforms to improve the balance between trade liberalisation and cultural policy objectives. As UNESCO's new convention affecting trade and cultural diversity is due to enter into force in 2007 and the WTO's Doha Round of negotiations is stumbling, the need for such an evaluation is all the more pressing.
Keywords: International trade, Trade debate, WTO, economic and social argument, cultural products, dispute settlement, cultural policy objectives
JEL Classification: K33, K30, K39
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation