Regionalism, Multilateralism, and the Politics of Global Trade

Two seemingly antithetical forces -- globalization and regionalism -- are shaping the contemporary world economy. Globalization is accelerating interdependence on a worldwide basis. Regionalism attempts to harness the pressures of globalization through strengthened collaboration among states, most notably in Europe through the European Union, in North America through NAFTA, and in Asia Pacific through APEC. The rise of regionalism and an emerging interregional politics has stimulated a lively debate about whether regionalism supports or undermines the global trading system. The essays in Regionalism, Multilateralism, and the Politics of Global Trade reflect this debate and give it focus. The contributors, all recognized experts, explore the changing relationship between regionalism and multilateralism and examine the implications for national policy in a global trading system. Their discussion centres on four interrelated themes: the changing nature of regionalism, emerging patterns of interregional relations, the evolving relationship between regionalism and multilateralism, and the implications for state policy (particularly for Canada). This rich and diverse collection of essays provides new insights into the complex and changing relationships between states and regions within the global trading order. They will be of interest to professors and students of international relations, political economy, and trade law, as well as public policy makers, NGOs, and trade policy analysts.