Globalization's Tripwires

Paul Blustein, Patrick Burns, John Whalley and Sean Walsh | World Politics Review | 2009-10-01

Globalization's rapid advance has highlighted the need for multilateral consensus. But on issues ranging from global trade to climate change to Security Council reform, that seems increasingly hard to come by. WPR examines Globalization's Tripwires.

Climate Change: Prospects for Copenhagen
By John Whalley and Sean Walsh
The U.N. climate change negotiations currently underway and set to conclude in Copenhagen late in 2009 are currently beset by a series of obstacles. But if these are overcome, the resulting agreement will change the global landscape in terms of trade, politics and the entire international system.

Saving the WTO from the Doha Round
By Paul Blustein
Glimmers of hope have emerged from the World Trade Organization in recent months that a compromise may be in the offing on the Doha Round. But the lofty ambitions with which the round was launched have become almost laughably implausible. Unfortunately, even if a deal materializes, it might still leave the WTO's credibility in doubt.

The Never-Ending Effort for Security Council Reform
By Patrick Burns
For almost the past 20 years, countries have been lobbying to reform the U.N. Security Council to make it more reflective of the current balance of power. Every year, countless hours are spent on a never-ending carousel of fruitless negotiations. And 2009 promises to be no different.

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