Book Description
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is scarcely ten years old, but even in these early years of its existence it has generated debate, controversy and even outrage. Rulings on beef hormones and tuna-dolphin cases provide graphic examples of how the organization regulates and intrudes into areas of individual consumer choice, ethical preferences, and cultural habits. This deep and far-ranging impact of the WTO on peoples' everyday lives means that it is not just an institution of interest to economists, but to everyone, a fact that was perhaps most graphically illustrated in the popular demonstrations at the 1999 Seattle Ministerial. Such protests have become a regular feature associated with most high-level meetings of the WTO. This VSI will provide a timely and carefully considered explanation of what the WTO is, what it does, and how it goes about executing its tasks. A clear understanding of the mandate, structure and functioning of the WTO is essential to appreciate the controversy behind the organization, and how far it deserves the reputation that it has come to acquire.
Customer Reviews:
Concise distillation of a messy topic -- great value.......2007-05-31
This book describes the historical background and current controversies surrounding the WTO in a way that's both concise and surprisingly interesting. The history is necessary for a couple of reasons. First, many of the procedures used in the WTO today, as well as some of its documentation, are holdovers from the WTO's predecessor treaty, the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade). Second, many of the current controversies about the WTO have their roots in the North-South divide that became apparent during the GATT era, which lasted just short of 50 years (compared to WTO's life-span of a bit more than 10 so far).
The author goes out of her way to present the experiences and point of view of developing countries (DCs) on most issues. Since the vast majority of the WTO's signatories are DCs, and since most of the institutions of the WTO and GATT were under the control of the US and European nations, this is not so unreasonable or unbalanced. (Note that DC signatories aren't "opponents" of WTO or of globalization; they just want the organization to be fairer than it is currently.) Moreover, she makes it clear that the DCs aren't all angels, either. For example, WTO signatories are required to submit schedules of "bound" tariff rates -- i.e., they promise not to charge higher than the "bound" rate for the respective category of goods on the schedule. This goes to the heart of a main reason for creating WTO: DCs hadn't had to bind their tariffs under GATT. They were induced to do so under WTO by promises that WTO would address certain of their concerns on agriculture, textiles and other matters. However, the author points out even though some DCs were disgruntled that these promises were unkept, they were also gaming the system: most DCs "bound" their rates at much higher than what they were charging in practice. They thereby effectively assured themselves the right to charge significantly *higher* tariffs in the future -- which kinda wasn't what WTO was supposed to be about.
That the author can make such intricate details vivid and engaging is quite unusual for books about WTO (other than anti-globalization rants). And despite having less than 140 pages of text, the book will provide you with enough detail to allow you to penetrate some of the more scholarly tomes about WTO without falling asleep instantly, should you feel up to that challenge. Considering that the prices of such books are often $50-$100 or even much more, this book is a tremendous value.
An informative read, but not too balanced.......2006-09-25
Of the three major international financial organisations, The World Bank, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The World Trade Organization (WTO), the last one is by far the youngest, yet it garners most headline news and controversy these days. In order to understand why, it is worthwhile to invest some time in reading about the origins of WTO in General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the organization that preceded it, as well as to understand how agreements are brokered and reached in WTO. This book provides a useful and informative introduction to WTO that answers those general questions fairly well. However, one gets a sense that the motivation behind the book was somewhat geared in direction of the critics of the WTO, rather than providing a more balanced account of the purposes and goals of the organization. In books defense it covers the origin and ramifications of the most recent controversial issues involving WTO fairly well, and it would be a useful and informative read for anyone interested in some basic facts about this organization.
Average customer rating:
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Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory
Jesper Jespersen
Manufacturer: Danmarks Jurist
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 8757413452 |
Book Description
To varying degrees, nations worldwide are at present struggling to meet their obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).This agreement, which to a large extent supersedes all previous international conventions on intellectual property rights, promises to provide virtually global protection against fraud, piracy, and infringement for owners of patents, copyrights, trade marks, and trade secrets -- provided government officials everywhere implement its requirements. It is with the intent of facilitating such compliance -- focusing on patents -- that this extremely practical book has been written. With the authoritative stamp of a leading international functionary in the field -- formerly with the WTO and currently with the Secretariat of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) --it articulates with unmatched clarity the specific steps a government must take, in a wide variety of possible contexts, to ensure its patent-related obligations under TRIPS are met. The presentation is arranged in an article-by-article format, following the TRIPS Agreement itself as it relates to patents. It makes no attempt to discuss what the Agreement should be, but only what it is. Effective implementation and compliance is the author's sole concern. Among the complex questions the book answers in depth are the following: + How does the "no less favourable treatment" standard apply in specific situations? + Where is the line drawn between most-favoured-nation treatment and national treatment? + When does exhaustion occur? + How is the necessity test met? + What are the minimum and maximum conditions of patentability? + Under what circumstances does the precautionary principle enter the process? + How can traditional knowledge be protected? + Under what circumstances do considerations of public health arise? + To what extent do the protection of undisclosed test data and exclusive marketing rights relate to the patent system? The complexity of the TRIPS Agreement and its numerous links to areas that are outside intellectual property -- such as the environment and public health, human rights, and non-tariff barriers to trade -- make it very difficult to apprehend all the aspects and implications of the Agreement, let alone to convert all TRIPS obligations into national law. For these reasons and more, The TRIPS Regime of Patent Rights is a crucially important resource for lawyers and government officials everywhere charged with the implementation of TRIPS obligations. It provides bright guidance through a notoriously murky passage in current international relations.
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The Anti-Dumping Agreement and Developing Countries: An Introduction
Aradhna Aggarwal
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0195689275 |
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Introduction to Intellectual Property, Theory and Practice (Yearbook of Commercial Arbitration)
WIPO Staff
Manufacturer: Kluwer Law International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 9041109382 |
Book Description
ntellectual property, and especially international intellectual property, is a field of rapid growth and increasing importance, particularly given the high rate of modern technological advances. This work provides a comprehensive introduction to intellectual property covering all aspects of intellectual property law and administration. Coverage includes + an in-depth examination of international cooperation in intellectual property, including an analysis of the principal multilateral treaties in the field; + attention to the administrative details of various regimes, including patent information, documentation systems, and the functioning of industrial property offices; and + material prepared by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Introduction to Intellectual Property has proven a popular reference work for government officials, lawyers, intellectual property attorneys and businesspeople. Its coverage and introductory level also make it appropriate for practitioners considering the expansion of their practices or those who find themselves dealing with some intellectual property issues in their current practices and need to become articulate on the subject. In addition, this work is useful for academics involved in the study of intellectual property.
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Introduction to International Business Law: Legal Transactions in a Global Economy
Manufacturer: Kazi Publications
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0379213648 |
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Introduction to the Law of International Trade
David Tiplady
Manufacturer: Blackwell Science
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Exports & Imports
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ASIN: 0632023767 |
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An Introduction To the WTO Agreements (Trade & Development Issues & the World Trade Organization)
Bhagirath Lal Das
Manufacturer: Zed Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1856495817 |
Book Description
The World Trade Organization (WTO), the successor to GATT, is rapidly establishing itself as the third pillar of the Bretton Woods institutions alongside the World Bank and the IMF. The prolonged international negotiations which led to its establishment have produced a complex set of agreements which not only constitute the most profound revision of the rules governing world trade, but extend these rules into a range of issues and economic sectors not hitherto regarded as falling within its ambit. This book, by an author who was intimately involved in the Uruguay Round which led to the creation of the WTO, is an indispensable and concise explanation of what the WTO agreements actually provide for. It deals with the full range of technical provisions and issues, explaining where necessary the background, terms involved, and implications of the new provisions. Together with its companion volume which criticizes the Agreements from the point of the view of the developing countries, it provides public officials, NGO leaders and economists in general with an essential explanation of the new rules governing world trade.
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Taxation of Foreign Direct Investment - An Introduction
Manufacturer: Springer
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 9041197419 |
Book Description
As barriers to international trade and investment are eliminated, taxation becomes an increasingly important consideration in foreign investment decisions. This book describes the many different ways in which national tax rules and international tax principles affect foreign direct investment decisions, and examines their impact on the establishment and operation of foreign-invested projects. The study focuses on tax provisions, in both host and home countries, which have the greatest impact upon foreign direct investment, and looks at the role of tax treaties, the methods of relieving double taxation and of countering tax avoidance. It looks at the application of these rules to specific foreign direct investment situations and examines the impact of taxation upon the establishment and operation of foreign-invested projects. It concludes by examining some of the most recent developments in international taxation, such as the growing concern over harmful tax competition, and attempts to suggest how the international tax system, as it affects foreign direct investment, may evolve as the 21st century begins. The book will be a valuable guide to tax practitioners and executives of multinational enterprises, and will be a useful reference work for students of international taxation.
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European Commercial Law: An Introduction
Patrick Griffin
Manufacturer: First Law
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1904480020 |
Book Description
Directing his polemics against the pedantry of his time, Galileo, as his own popularizer, addressed his writings to contemporary laymen. His support of Copernican cosmology, against the Church's strong opposition, his development of a telescope, and his unorthodox opinions as a philosopher of science were the central concerns of his career and the subjects of four of his most important writings. Drake's introductory essay place them in their biographical and historical context.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Overview of Why We Still Talk About Galileo Galilei.......2007-09-17
My interest in Galileo was recently piqued by a seminar on data presentation by Edward Tufte (strongly recommended, also his books.) I was looking for an overview of Galileo's work and some context. This book provides both, very well.
The book provides long quotations from "Sidereal Nuncio" (Starry Messenger), Letters on Sunspots, The Assayer, and Letters to the Mother of the Grand Duke of Tuscany (whose name escapes me right now.) Preceding each of these exerpts, is an introduction which includes historical information, information about Galileo's personal life, and much quotation from other scientists and people with whom Galileo is arguing. These are written in excellent, clear prose. The stage is set without the stage manager intruding. The exerpts from Galileo have been edited to maintain the focus on why Galileo is important to history and science, without losing his flavor or his pugnatious style.
The point made by Galileo himself and the book are that Galileo pointed out that from then on, evidence would be the standard by which we would judge our knowledge of the world, not authority, word-play, logical proofs or arguments, etc. This is the dawn of the enlightenment.
For an introduction, I found this book perfect. It won't satisfy the scholar looking to read every word of Galileo's. but, like I noted above, this book does show us why we still know Galileo's name, unlike the vast majority of his peers.
well worth the read........2005-04-01
The Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo is an excellent summary and translation, by Stillman Drake, of Galileo's 4 greatest works, including The Starry Messanger, The Assayer, Letters on Sunspots, and the Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina. Drake presents the words of Galileo as well as his own translations and insights into his life. He not only focuses on just the opinions of Galileo, but also gives the reader information about the viewpoints of Galileo's opponents.
I assume that Drake wanted to tell the story of Galileo in words that an everyday person can understand. By simply reading works written by Galileo, it is not always easy to comprehend the scientific and mathematical language that he uses. By omitting parts of Galileo's texts and adding his own details, Drake makes understanding Galileo's discoveries painless.
Personally, I believe that The Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo is well worth the read because it is educational yet interesting. Although the discoveries of Galileo may seem quite obvious to us today, it's entertaining reading how he came upon such discoveries, which were considered phenomenal at the time. The conflicts between Galileo and the Inquisition adds entertainment to what may seem like just observations and reports of Galileo. Overall, I think most people will be educated and entertained by reading this book.
Galileo's Ideas and Their Defense.......2002-05-19
The Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo consists of four works by Galileo Galilei: The Starry Messenger, Letters on Sunspots, Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina, and The Assayer. They are each wonderfully translated by Stillman Drake. He omits unnecessary parts of the texts, to prevent verbosity or boredom, while still giving the reader the full sense of each work. Drake is a professor of the History of Science at the University of Toronto. Before each of Galileo's works, Drake gives an introduction which details the circumstances and events prompting Galileo to take up the pen. Drake presents an excellent history of the times and atmosphere along with the political forces that permeated the setting of early seventeenth century Italian academia. One gets a real feel for what Galileo was up against in presenting his ideas in the face of ecclesiastical and philosophical opposition.
The Starry Messenger is Galileo's account of his first uses of his homemade telescope. He details his observations of the four newly discovered moons of Jupiter and several stars that can now be seen with the telescope. His Letters on Sunspots are a retort to another astronomer's theories on the nature of the phenomenon. In the Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina, Galileo puts up a staunch defense to the church in his adopting the Copernican heliocentric model of the universe. After being banned from teaching this opinion, Galileo makes a suave effort to communicate his ideas in a defense on the nature of comets in The Assayer.
This is the story of Galileo verses old dogma. One cannot help but sympathize with Galileo in his frustration in communicating what he believed to be true. In light of our current knowledge of the solar system and the logical arguments Galileo puts forth it is hard not to feel a bit of the same frustration. This book is a great treatise on Galileo's ideas and his tenacity in defending them. Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems would be an excellent companion to this book. Drake has published a translation of this work also. Galileo's thoughts and observations mark a milestone in the history of astronomy, and Drake's book venerates the man and his teachings.
The origins of modern physics.......2001-12-21
Beyond doubt, Galileo established the foundation of modern physics and his intellectual approach marked the onset of a highly successful process which continues to advance our understanding of physical reality. All students of science are familiar with the events which led to the confrontation between Galileo and the Church and of the outcome which impacted so negatively on the relationship between science and religion. This book includes Galileo's letter to Christina of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany. the letter was written in 1615 and is titled "Concerning the Use of Biblical Quotations in Matters of Science". It is a masterpiece and I recommend it highly to everyone who is interested in Galileo, this highly relevant topic and what he really thought about it. Galileo was proudest of his discovery that bodies fall with time in the ratio of 1:3:5:.... . We can all be proud of what he wrote in this letter and the manner in which he expressed himself. If for no other reason than an opportunity to read and appreciate this document, the book is well worth reading
Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo.......2000-05-11
Although the introductory sections are a bit dated, this book contains some of the best translations available of Galileo's works in English. It includes a broad range of his theories (both those we recognize as "correct" and those in which he was "in error"). Both types indicate his creativity. The reproductions of his sketches of the moons of Jupiter (in "The Starry Messenger") are accurate enough to match to modern computer programs which show the positions of the moons for any date in history. The appendix with a chronological summary of Galileo's life is very useful in placing the readings in context.
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