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Dear anarchists: What are some criticisms/problems with the WTO today?

Asked by ShiningToast (2108points) November 27th, 2010

DISCLAIMER- This is for a research paper, and I have been researching in the library for the past 2 weeks or so, and this question is to make sure I am not missing any avenues of argument. If someone mentions an interesting point, I will go do more research upon said topic. I’m not looking for anyone to do work for me, just tap the collective for something I may have missed. /rant

So I’m doing a paper on the WTO and why it kind of doesn’t really live up to what the founders intended.

So far I have:
-Shadow organization run by elite few (fight the man, man!)
-Board of decision makers are appointed, not elected by member nations.
-All rulings made by the WTO are binding.
-Rulings by the WTO to settle trade disputes between countries have favored corporate interests at the expense of the environment
-Member nations can’t discriminate against products that are manufactured in ways that are destructive to the people making them/environment. (aka can’t not import a toy that was made by child labor in another member nation)
-WTO hearings are not open to the public unless both countries agree (a rarity).
-Whenever the opportunity presents itself, the WTO liberalizes trade through decions made in hearings.
-The WTO rules generally favor the rich, powerful nations (U.S., Western Europe)
-Developing nations are held to the same rules and regulations as more powerful nations, putting them at a severe disadvantage.
-The WTO’s regulations make it incredibly easy to outsource jobs, and exploit workers in poorer countries.

Anybody have any other views/opinions/facts that I don’t have here that I can go research? All of the notes I have made above have come from numerous books and scholarly journals.

Yes, this paper will be slightly one-sided, as I am supposed to focus on the negatives of one industry/corporation/entity. The WTO has done alot of good, but there is alot of bad mixed up in there as well.

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