Regionalism or Multilateralism? A Political Economy Choice

Author/Editor:

Giorgia Albertin

Publication Date:

March 1, 2008

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper provides a political economy analysis of the incentives underpinning a country's decision to enter a regional trade agreement when a multilateral free trade agreement is available, and of how entering a regional trade agreement affects the incentives to pursue multilateral trade liberalization. Taking into account the influence exerted by organized interest groups in the formation of trade agreements, we derive a formal condition under which a regional trade agreement is preferred to a multilateral one. Furthermore, we show that a country's decision to enter a regional trade agreement unambiguously undermines the incentives towards multilateral trade liberalization.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2008/065

Subject:

Multilateral trade Regional trade Trade agreements Trade liberalization Trade policy

English

Publication Date:

March 1, 2008

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451869279/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2008065

Pages:

26

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