Free Trade: Myths, Realities and Alternatives

Free trade and its virtues are a mantra of contemporary economics, and a fixed point of policy for the World Trade Organization. But there are many economists who disagree, and there are many ideas for alternative ways of organizing world trade and increasing the development chances for poor countries. Little wonder that trade has moved beyond the realms of intellectual dispute, and become a leading campaigning issue for social movements and development NGOs. Free Trade explains the case for free trade; the critiques; and how free trade policies work in practice. It introduces powerful and increasingly high profile new ideas for greater self-reliance and alternative development. Readers can see how it is possible to create economic policies that really address poverty and inequality, and that also take into account the environment, culture and human rights.