Abstract
This paper focuses on the positions taken by civil society organisations that actively campaign on trade policies. Trade campaigners oppose the neo-liberal approach to trade and development and advocate a much more gradual and prudent approach to trade liberalisation. They stress that trade liberalisation will only lead to sustainable development if it respects environmental and social concerns, including the gender dimension of trade; if trade liberalisation is properly owned, prepared and sequenced; adapted to the institutional and economic needs and capacities of the countries and people involved, and accompanied by all necessary flanking measures. Trade campaigners stress the need to maintain policy space and the necessary governance instruments to react to changing circumstances and address social and environmental concerns. They denounce the lack of information, consultation and participation provided by governments in trade policy formulation and negotiations and they campaign to raise awareness and create more room for debate and participation.
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Notes
The European Commission categorises business associations and trade unions as civil society together with NGOs and CBO’s (community based organisations). See Wichterich (2008c) for a discussion about the definitions of civil society.
Compare for instance the list of active members of the European Seattle2Brussels network with (footnote 4) with the signatories of the statement “Immediately Halt EU-India FTA negotiations. Statement of concern from India”, New Delhi, 21 September 2008.
For a short overview of the scholarly discussion on trade and development and a critique of the neo-liberal approach, see for instance Gavin (2007).
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This article builds on a paper presented on 19-20 June 2008 at an UNU-CRIS Work Shop in Bruges on “Deep Integration and North-South Free Trade Agreements. EU Strategy for a Global Economy”.
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Maes, M. Civil society perspectives on EU–ASIA free trade agreements. Asia Eur J 7, 97–107 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-008-0216-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-008-0216-9