Cultural Products and the World Trade Organization

In this 2007 book, Voon examines how WTO rules apply to 'cultural products', such as film, music and books.

Tania Voon (Author)

9780521873277, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 June 2007

344 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.68 kg

Review of the hardback: '… Voon provides a balanced and thoughtful view of the highly complex issues surrounding the challenge of protecting and promoting culture and cultural diversity, while at the same time pursuing the goal of further trade liberalisation among Member States. Ultimately, the greatest merit of the very comprehensive and insightful book is that is proposes a clear solution to the stalemate in the trade-and-culture debate.' Global Law Books

Debate about trade and culture has a long history, but the application of WTO rules to cultural products such as films, radio, and books remains one of the most divisive issues in the organization. After assessing the economic and social arguments for treating cultural products differently from things like steel or wheat, this 2007 book explains how the vastly different views of WTO members in earlier negotiations led to an outcome that is disappointing for all. It goes on to provide a comprehensive evaluation of possible solutions, including evolution of the law through WTO dispute settlement, an agreement outside the WTO, and reforms to improve the balance between trade liberalization and cultural policy objectives.

Part I. Stalemate and its Ideological Origins: 1. Trade and culture
2. A case study of cultural products: protectionism vs cultural policy
3. What's wrong with the current treatment of cultural products?
Part II. Options for the Future: 4. Resolution through dispute settlement and international law
5. Constructing a new agreement outside the WTO
6. Improving the existing WTO agreements
7. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International economic & trade law [LBBM], International institutions [JPSN], Globalization [JFFS], Cultural studies [JFC]