Manoeuvring at the Margins: Constraints Faced by Small States in International Trade Negotiations - Softcover

Jones, Emily; Birkbeck, Carolyn Deere; Woods, Ngaire

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1849290067 ISBN 13: 9781849290067

Publisher: Commonwealth Secretariat, 2010

Synopsis

Of enduring concern for small states are the numerous constraints they face in international trade negotiations. This study provides evidence that small states can still have an important influence over the outcomes of negotiations if they successfully identify and tackle these underlying constraints.

Building on existing scholarship, Manoeuvring at the Margins is the first attempt to thoroughly analyze the views of representatives from small states on the constraints they face in this area. The authors, led by Dr. Ngaire Woods and Dr. Carolyn Deere Birkbeck of the University of Oxford, highlight three areas where small states can maximize their potential influence: establishing an effective negotiating team by strengthening human resources; harnessing the support of civil society and the private sector; and improving negotiation strategies. The recommendations they provide will be useful in assisting trade policy-makers in small states to achieve greater success in WTO and other trade arenas.

About this title

About the Author

Ngaire Woods is Professor of International Political Economy, and Director of the Global Economic Governance Programme, University College, Oxford. Carolyn Deere-Birkbeck is Senior Researcher and Trade Project Director, Global Economic Governance Programme, University College, Oxford. Emily Jones is a project associate for the Global Economic Governance Programme's Global Trade Governance Project.

Review

"[A]n interesting, ambitious, timely and useful study....[it] asks good questions and contributes original evidence from three methods: an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and country case studies. I found what the respondents said, and the report concluded, to be revealing and valuable." (John Odell, author of Negotiating Trade: Developing Countries in the WTO and NAFTA)

Edition details

• Publisher: Commonwealth Secretariat
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1849290067
• ISBN 13: 9781849290067
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 136