摘要
The World Trade Organization(WTO)portrays itself as a democraticorganization.Yet many critics claim the WTO is not democratic.The WTO they say catersto the interests of a handful of developed countries and serves the needs of global capital.This article contends that both views are correct.It argues that the WTO does conform todemocratic principles.These principles,however,reflect a form of democracy thatrecognizes formal political equality but does not compensate for disparities in economicpower—a mode of political organization I call"democratic formalism"As a result of itsformal-democratic organization,the WTO possesses a built-in institutional bias that servesthe needs of its most powerful members and the global economic processes that keep thempowerful.That said the formal-democratic organization of the WTO provides an opportunityfor developing countries to steer the organization toward a global trade agenda that betterserves their interests.
The World Trade Organization(WTO)portrays itself as a democratic organization.Yet many critics claim the WTO is not democratic.The WTO they say caters to the interests of a handful of developed countries and serves the needs of global capital. This article contends that both views are correct.It argues that the WTO does conform to democratic principles.These principles,however,reflect a form of democracy that recognizes formal political equality but does not compensate for disparities in economic power—a mode of political organization I call'democratic formalism'As a result of its formal-democratic organization,the WTO possesses a built-in institutional bias that serves the needs of its most powerful members and the global economic processes that keep them powerful.That said the formal-democratic organization of the WTO provides an opportunity for developing countries to steer the organization toward a global trade agenda that better serves their interests.
出处
《武大国际法评论》
2006年第2期118-143,共26页
Wuhan University International Law Review
