The discussion will revolve around the author’s most recent book, entitled Backwaters of Global Prosperity: How Forces of Globalization and GATT/WTO Trade Regimes Contribute to the Marginalization of the World’s Poorest Nation. New York: Praeger Publishers.
The book provides a penetrating analysis of the particular elements of globalization in general and the global trade regime in particular that are biased against the interests of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). From direct foreign investment to the flow of capital, there are endless factors that affect the economies of the world’s poorest countries. Knowledge of the struggles of these countries is essential to understanding the impact of globalization. This work provides a platform for grasping why developed countries are reaping the benefits of globalization while the LDCs are being left behind. The book seeks to uncover the processes that LDCs should take to reverse their marginalization and build their economies so that they can receive the benefits of globalization.
Major topics include: How Marginalized Are the LDCs in the Contemporary World Economy; How Multilateral Trade Regimes under the GATT/WTO Contribute to the Marginalization of the LDCs; How the Special and Differential Treatment Measures of the GATT/WTO contribute to the Development of the LDCs; How Lack of Liberalization in the trade of Agriculture and Textiles and Clothing have been restraining economic growth of the LDCs; and finally, how Conductive is the WTO Platform for Safeguarding and Promoting the Interests of the LDCs.
The author will discuss these issues in the context of recent developments in the WTO negotiations.
