Security Exception Negotiation from the Perspective of Habermas’ Discourse Ethics

Abstract

Security exception negotiation is conducive to improving the WTO security exception clause and promoting the correct and reasonable use of the clause, so as to balance the conflicts and contradictions between safeguarding national security and realizing free trade in multilateral trade. Habermas's discourse ethics advocates that in an ideal discourse environment, communication subjects with communication qualifications seek understanding and reach consensus through dialogue and negotiation in accordance with rational requirements and preset norms and procedures, in order to solve the multivariate conflict problems of modern society. Based on this theory, the dilemma of security exception negotiation lies in the inability of equal dialogue, the lack of semantic identity and the lack of pragmatic effectiveness. Therefore, we should respect the dominant position of each country, create an ideal discourse environment and realize equal dialogue among countries. Paying attention to the interpretation of WTO security exception clauses will be a desirable way to solve the dilemma of security exception negotiation.