Regionalism, Multilateralism, and Deeper Integration

Download or read book Regionalism, Multilateralism, and Deeper Integration written by Robert Z. Lawrence and published by Brookings Institution Press. This book was released on 2000-07-26 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past decade, international economic liberalization has been pursued through both multilateral and regional arrangements. In the Uruguay Round, more than one hundred governments pledged their commitment to greater open trade in goods and services, and established new rules under the enforcement of the World Trade Organization. At the same time, however, many regional arrangements have been negotiated--including the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Nonetheless, controversy still rages about these arrangements. Are regional arrangements stumbling blocks or, in fact building blocks for a more integrated and successful international economy? In this book, Robert A. Lawrence addresses this question and explains both sides of the debate. A volume of Brookings' Integrating National Economies Series