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The World Trade Organization

A Beginner's Guide

Published by Oneworld Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

One of the most important yet least understood organizations in the world, the WTO is a lynchpin of globalization, allowing us to enjoy products and services from around the globe. However, it also lays bare the frailty of many industries, leading some to claim that it stokes unemployment and harms the developing world.

In this engaging introduction, David Collins examines the goals of the WTO and the difficulties experienced by member countries struggling to adapt to the pressures of globalization. Refuting the argument that the WTO should expand its mandate to cover wider social issues, Collins demonstrates how this would confuse the organization’s primary objective – to liberalize international trade. With case studies straight from the headlines and clear explanations of complex issues like regional trade agreements and currency manipulation, this lucid exposition is an essential insight into what the WTO does and how it fits into the world we know.

About The Author

David Collins practiced commercial litigation in Toronto, Canada and was a Prosecutor for the Attorney General of Ontario in the early 2000s. He has been teaching and researching in the area of international economic law since joining City University London in 2005. He has taught in Spain and Russia and spoken around the world on these topics at academic conferences. He has been a visiting scholar at a number of universities including Georgetown, Columbia, Hong Kong, Sydney and Oslo. David is admitted to practice law in Ontario, New York and England. In the past, he has consulted for the World Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Oneworld Publications (September 3, 2015)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781780745794

Raves and Reviews

“A refreshingly accessible introduction to the World Trade Organization and the contemporary challenges that it faces. This book will become an important first reference point for both students and members of the general public interested in learning about the WTO and the way that it affects their lives.”

– Andrew Lang, Professor of Law, London School of Economics

“A wonderful little book packed with useful information and explanations... Students and those new to international trade law will absolutely love this.”

– Bryan Mercurio, Professor of Law and Associate Dean (Research), Chinese University of Hong Kong

“A concise and insightful introduction to the intricacies of a poorly understood institution. Using a jargon-free style and focusing on what matters most, this guide to the WTO provides the reader with a superb compass to navigate through a maze of multilateral trade agreements, institutional provisions and dispute settlement rules. An invaluable tool for anyone interested in learning what the WTO is about.”

– Dr Gabriel Gari, Senior Lecturer in International Economic Law, Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London

“Commendable, clear and thoughtful. This will make it much easier for the non-expert to understand the organization.”

– David A. Gantz, Samuel M. Fegtly Professor of Law and Co-Director, International Trade and Business Law Program, University of Arizona

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More books in this series: Beginner's Guides