Comparing the Major Systems

Abstract

Although the global export control order is internationalised, certain key countries have been continuously shaping this order. Most of the practices of the export control order emanate from these key countries or the groups of key countries. An understanding of these major systems gives the idea of standardisation that is taking place in the global export control order. The major systems started working on export controls several decades ago. All the major systems are investigated on vital indicators: legislation, regulatory system, institutional framework for implementation and enforcement of strategic trade control, enforcement machinery, international cooperation and outreach. The high volume of trade, the long duration of strategic trade management, the advanced industrial systems and the geographical representation are the principal factors for selecting the major systems. The systems of select countries and the European Union (EU) are analysed. All of them have advanced high-technology industrial systems. The phrase—major powers have been deliberately avoided. The use of this phrase may have pushed the study towards a new set of countries. The major western systems also have a high level of coordination for strategic trade control undertaken in various formal and informal international organisations. Outreach for new export control countries makes these major systems distinct in the global export control order.