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The Chaos Machine: The WTO in a Social Entropy Model of the World Trading System

The Chaos Machine: The WTO in a Social Entropy Model of the World Trading System This article applies social entropy theory to international trade law, suggesting that observed shifts in world trading system towards disorder are the consequence of insufficient energy inputs in the form of an effective, centralized legal framework and focused authoritative organization. In support of this claim, the article draws attention to recognized, substantive deficiencies in the World Trade Organization (WTO). These include trade round negotiation impasse, the rise of bilateralism, indeterminacy in the treaty texts and inadequate enforcement procedures. These problems represent increasing disorganization, or entropy, in the world trading system, a phenomenon characterized most notably by growing income inequality between states and failure to achieve progress in further trade liberalization. While this article does not propose either specific predictions or comprehensive solutions to the dilemma of social entropy in the world trading system, it does suggest that a more robust, authoritative and trade-focused WTO is essential to counter the entropic tendencies within the supra-national trading system. This should help to ensure future growth and achieve the fuller distribution of economic prosperity through global trade. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Oxford Journal of Legal Studies Oxford University Press

The Chaos Machine: The WTO in a Social Entropy Model of the World Trading System

Oxford Journal of Legal Studies , Volume 34 (2) – Jun 14, 2014

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Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com
ISSN
0143-6503
eISSN
1464-3820
DOI
10.1093/ojls/gqt023
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This article applies social entropy theory to international trade law, suggesting that observed shifts in world trading system towards disorder are the consequence of insufficient energy inputs in the form of an effective, centralized legal framework and focused authoritative organization. In support of this claim, the article draws attention to recognized, substantive deficiencies in the World Trade Organization (WTO). These include trade round negotiation impasse, the rise of bilateralism, indeterminacy in the treaty texts and inadequate enforcement procedures. These problems represent increasing disorganization, or entropy, in the world trading system, a phenomenon characterized most notably by growing income inequality between states and failure to achieve progress in further trade liberalization. While this article does not propose either specific predictions or comprehensive solutions to the dilemma of social entropy in the world trading system, it does suggest that a more robust, authoritative and trade-focused WTO is essential to counter the entropic tendencies within the supra-national trading system. This should help to ensure future growth and achieve the fuller distribution of economic prosperity through global trade.

Journal

Oxford Journal of Legal StudiesOxford University Press

Published: Jun 14, 2014

Keywords: WTO international trade social entropy theory systems theory

There are no references for this article.