Concepts of fairness in the global trading system
Pacific Economic Review (2007)
- ISSN: 1361374X
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0106.2007.00359.x
Available from www.blackwell-synergy.com
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Available from www.blackwell-synergy.com
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Concepts of fairness in the global trading system
INTERNATIONAL POLICY CENTER
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
University of Michigan
IPC Working Paper Series Number 109
Fairness in the WTO Trading System
Andrew G. Brown
Robert M. Stern
October 9, 2010
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Fairness in the WTO Trading System
Andrew G. Brown, Amherst, MA and Robert M. Stern, University of Michigan
Abstract
We first provide a brief critique of the utilitarian principle as a guide to fairness in the world
trading system. We then turn to the alternative conception of fairness in terms of economic
equity, exploring the meaning of its two components: equality of opportunity and distributive
justice. We thereafter proceed to discuss the conditions of autonomy and reciprocity that have to
be met in order to realize greater fairness in multilateral trade negotiations. Next, we comment
on aspects of procedural justice that are necessary for the functioning of a fair trading system.
Finally, we conclude with an overall assessment of the considerations of the fairness achieved in
the Uruguay Round multilateral negotiations.
To be published in Amrita Narlikar, Martin J. Daunton, and Robert M. Stern (eds.), The Oxford
Handbook on the World Trade Organization.
Keywords: Fairness, Equality of Opportunity, Distributive Justice, Global Trading System
JEL Classification: D63, F02, F10, F13
October 9, 2010
Address correspondence to:
Robert M. Stern
Professor Emeritus of Economics and Public Policy
University of Michigan
4248 Gilbert Street
Oakland, CA 94611
E-Mail: rmstern@umich.edu
Tel. 510-879-7733
http://www.umich.edu/~rmstern
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