Global Trade and Economic Development: WTO and Developing Countries

This book gives a critical analysis of the World Trade Organization and developing countries. The author questions whether the World Trade Organization presents any significant trade and development opportunities for developing countries. She makes an assessment of the achievements and obstacles in regulating international trade with respect to developing countries. The effects of liberalization and globalization policies embodied in the WTO on the developing countries are analyzed, given such issues as regionalism, sovereignty, trade imbalances and the political will to implement policies agreed at the WTO. The author concludes that the World Trade Organization does not change the status quo of the world economic order and is still exclusive rather than inclusive. It largely promotes marginalization rather than integration of developing countries into “Global trade”. The author also further questions the role of the World Trade Organization as a panacea to economic development challenges faced by developing countries.

Dr Charity Manyeruke is a lecturer in International Economic Relations at the University of Zimbabwe. She was born in a small town called Marondera in Zimbabwe. She is married to Shingi and has two children, Victor and Nyasha.