Cultural Products and the World Trade Organization

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 recently adopted a new convention affecting trade and cultural diversity and the WTO's Doha round of negotiations has stalled, the need for such an evaluation is all the more pressing.