Towards an Empirically-Based New International Economic Order

Abstract

The movement on behalf of a new international economic order emerged in the early 1970’s and achieved an early, signal success with three great ventures in international lawmaking by the United Nations General Assembly in 1974 and 1975. These were the Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States. All three acts were adopted in the form of General Assembly resolutions, the first two by consensus and without formal vote, at the Sixth Special Session of the General Assembly. The Resolution on the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, being pushed to a vote at the succeeding regular Annual Session, was adopted by 120 to 6, with 10 abstentions (with the United States, Great Britain, and West Germany among the negative votes, and France, Italy, Japan, and Canada among the abstentions).