Overview

The module will study aspects of the regulation of international trade through the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organisation. It will consider the institutional framework of the treaty scheme, the removal of tariff barriers to trade, international control of dumping and subsidies, intellectual property rights under the TRIPs Agreement, environmental, health and labour conflicts, protection of human rights, services and dispute resolution. Specific issues will be examined, in particular, whether ‘regionalism’ goes against the philosophy of free trade, whether trade should be free or fair (or are both possible) and whether the substantive GATT rules and dispute settlement mechanisms are in practice fair to poor countries. Coming from a variety of jurisdictions, students will be expected to offer comparative insights to the group.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -C- to C+ (50-59%)· Demonstrate knowledge of key areas/principles.· Have some, if only limited, evidence of background study.· Be focussed on the question with only some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure.· Attempt to present relevant and logical arguments.· Not contain a large number of factual errors.· Describe major links between topics.· Attempt to analyse and/or explain problems.· Be free of major weaknesses in presentation and accuracy. -good -B- to B+ (60-69%)· Demonstrate strong knowledge and understanding of most of the subject area.· Demonstrate evidence of background study.· Be well structured and focused.· Contain coherently presented arguments.· Be mostly free of factual errors.· Include some elements of original interpretation.· Describe well known links between topics.· Analyse and/or explain problems using existing methods/approaches.· Be presented to high standards with accurate communication. -excellent -A- to A* (70%+)· Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the subject area.· Demonstrate extensive background study.· Be well structured and highly focused.· Contain logically presented and defended arguments.· Be free of factual/computational errors.· Include significant elements of original interpretation.· Demonstrate an ability to identify, develop and present new links between topics.· Include new approaches to analysing and/or explaining a problem.· Be presented to very high standards with very accurate communication.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically and systematically analyse the legal and regulatory order of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including the origin, structure and scope of various Agreements (such as the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade - GATT) and their application to international trade, and disputes which arise from such trades referred by countries to the WTO.

• Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship on WTO controversies, such as international trade in services, TRIPs and access to essential medicines, the trend towards regional and bilateral trade agreements and how the WTO deals with developing countries.

• Critically evaluate the main criticisms and proposals for the reform of WTO Agreements and formulate suggestions for their development and/or reform, taking into consideration current political, social and economic contexts.

• Demonstrate the ability to analyse World Trade Organisation Agreements and case law classifying them in terms of relevance and importance, to propose solutions to international trade problems.

• Review critically the values on which the WTO is based, and evaluate its effectiveness to regulate international trade activities in the interests of all participants.