A Social Theory of the WTO Trading Cultures

Traditional theories suggest that developing countries lack influence in the trade regime.In A Social Theory of the WTO, Jane Ford uses a social theory or constructivist approach to show that developing countries played a critical role in strengthening multilateralism in the World Trade Organization. By adopting a new role in trade negotiations during the Uruguay Round negotiations, developing countries helped to strengthen trade rules and change the trading culture of limited multilateralism.

Jane Ford is Director, Alpha Risk International and Departmental Visitor, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Australia.