World Trade and Investment Law in a Time of Crisis: Distribution, Development and Social Protection
Introduction to World Trade and Investment Law Reimagined: A Progressive Agenda for an Inclusive Globalization
Alvaro Santos, Chantal Thomas and David Trubek, eds.
Anthem Press, 2019, Forthcoming
Univ. of Wisconsin Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1470 (2019)
40 Pages Posted: 24 Apr 2019 Last revised: 10 Jun 2019
Date Written: April 23, 2019
Abstract
World trade and investment law is in crisis: new and progressive ideas are needed. Rules that facilitated globalization and supported global economic growth are being challenged. A system of global governance that once seemed secure is now at risk as the US ignores the rules while developing countries struggle to escape restrictions. Some want to tear global institutions and agreements down while others try desperately to maintain the status quo. Rejecting both options, we convened a group of trade and investment law experts from 10 countries South and North who have proposed ideas for a new world trade and investment law that would maintain global growth while distributing costs and benefits more fairly. This essay frames the issues and introduces the volume. We look at the impact of trade and investment law on the global distribution of resources, and pay special attention to those who have suffered from trade dislocation and to restrictions that have hampered innovative growth strategies in developing countries. This perspective shapes a progressive trade and investment law agenda that is outlined in the book and summarized here. We suggest new ways to link trade with protection for labor; measures to ensure that gains from trade are used to offset losses; new rules that can protect foreign investments without hamstringing developing governments or harming local communities; innovative procedures to allow developing countries freedom to try innovative growth strategies; and methods to cope with new products like cannabis.
Keywords: world trade, investment law, trade dislocation, global resources, growth strategies, developing countries, labor law, foreign investment, trade, globalization
JEL Classification: K33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Alvaro Santos, Chantal Thomas and David Trubek, eds.
Anthem Press, 2019, Forthcoming , Univ. of Wisconsin Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1470 (2019), Cornell Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-16, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3376716