Beyond the Market: The Global South and the wto’s Normative Dimension

Abstract

Negotiators expect the World Trade Organization (wto) to be an arena for states to pursue their material gain. However, the wto also reflects symbolic aspects of international politics, in particular the notion of multilateralism. Although such a principle, in part, expresses Western dominance, Global South states have also benefited from multilateral regimes, and thus have incentives to legitimize them and behave according to their rules. Will the pattern of multilateralism change as other trade arrangements potentially gain more prominence? This article analyzes actions taken by Brazil and India in wto’s Doha Development Agenda (dda) and concludes that the multilateral system of trade will survive as Global South states participate in the organization to seek not just material gains but also to commit themselves to the international normative dimension.