Developing Countries in the WTO Legal System

Abstract With contributions from some of the leading experts in international trade, law, and economics, this book looks at the positioning of developing countries within the WTO system. The chapters address some of the most pressing issues facing these countries, while reflecting on Robert E. Hudec's book, Developing Countries in the GATT Legal System. Hudec argued against preferential and non-reciprocal treatment for developing countries. He did so on the basis of a combination of economic, political, and legal insights that persuasively demonstrated that non-reciprocal treatment would not benefit developing countries. It is a testament to Hudec's legacy that his analysis is still the object of scholarly discussion more than twenty years later. The first part of this book evaluates the general situation of developing countries within the WTO. The second part examines market access and competition law within these countries. Lastly, it discusses the special arrangements these countries have with international financial institutions, the developing country's capacity to litigate, and an analysis of the country's level of participation in WTO dispute settlements.