Trans-Parliamentary Associations in Global Functional Agencies

Abstract

This article examines a new phenomenon, transparliamentary activism that focuses on particular international issues or international organizations. For example, the Parliamentary Conference on the World Bank. Such parliamentary organizing has a political significance beyond the usual transnational NGO activities because parliamentarians are elected officials. The transparliamentary activism discussed here differs from the traditional interparliamentary association going back over a hundred years. The article discusses the recent developments in the World Trade Organization and the World Bank.

Keywords: World Trade Organization, World Bank, international organization, parliament, nongovernmental organization, globalization

JEL Classification: F02, F10