Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dspace.lib.uom.gr/handle/2159/15369
Author: Στεφανίδου, Ελένη
Stefanidou, Eleni
Title: Regionalism versus multilateralism.
Date Issued: 2012
Department: Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών στις Πολιτικές και Οικονομικές Σπουδές Σύγχρονης Ανατολικής και Νοτιοανατολικής Ευρώπης
Supervisor: Τζιώνας, Ιωάννης
Tzionas, Ioannis
Abstract: The literature on regionalism versus multilateralism is growing as economists and political scientists grapple with the question of whether regional integration arrangements are good or bad for the multilateral system as a whole. The well-known question whether regional trade agreements (RTAs) and the multilateral trading system (MTS) are “strangers, friends, or foes”1 has gained new importance with the widespread proliferation of RTAs in recent years of economic crisis. Regional trade agreements are cropping up everywhere, with new negotiations being announced almost every day in some part of the world. Are these regional deals undermining the paramount of the World Trade Organization? Are regional integration arrangements “building blocks, or stumbling blocks,” in Jagdish Bhagwati’s phrase, or stepping stones toward multilateralism? “Regionalism versus multilateralism” switches the focus of research from the immediate consequences of regionalism for the economic welfare of the integrating partners to the question of whether it sets up forces which encourage or discourage evolution towards globally freer trade. This paper tries to give an answer to the debate “multilateralism versus regionalism”. Firstly, I try to give some clear definitions and classifications of the concepts of “regionalism” and “multilateralism”. Moreover, the historical perspectives of these terms should be also discussed. Then, I try to evaluate these trade agreements, regional and multilateral trade agreements, in light of four factors and to explain the meaning of “new regionalism”. The paper continues with the costs and benefits of both regionalism and multilateralism and the reasons of the proliferation of RTAs. Last but not least, I try to give a clear picture of the current crisis and its impact on multilateral trade system through the words off well known persons. The conclusion comes after all these parts and tries to give a clear answer to the debate “multilateralism versus regionalism”.
Keywords: Regionalism
Multilateralism
Information: Διπλωματική εργασία--Πανεπιστήμιο Μακεδονίας, Θεσσαλονίκη, 2012.
Appears in Collections:ΠΜΣ Πολιτικές & Οικονομικές Σπουδές Σύγχρονης Ανατολικής & Νοτιοανατολικής Ευρώπης (M)

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