Trade And Human Rights

Trade and human rights in Global Commerce Policy

In this regard, a definition of this issue is as follows: this expression embraces a set of three broad issues. They have in common the thought that international trade can have an effect on the enjoyment or exercise of human rights in participating countries. First, there is the pessimistic assumption that trade liberalization by developing countries entails a social cost to them which outweighs its economic benefits. The entries on trade policy are here. It also assumes that the benefits go almost exclusively to privileged urban minorities, and that other groups fall further behind in their living standards. This view is held especially by those who see globalization as undermining the social fabric of developing countries and making them more dependent on the rich developed countries. Nor do holders of this view necessarily explain why expanded economic activity should lead to a diminution of human rights. Trade liberalization always entails some structural adjustment, but it is not course the only cause of it. Some occupations will be affected adversely by the need for structural adjustment, but the evidence overall points to an inprovement in the observance of human rights as economic well-being increases. The entries on trade policy are here. It is also a mistake to assume that those in traditional occupations are necessarily better off than those employed in modernizing sectors. Second, trade and human rights stands for the proposition that trade measures should be used to promote or enforce human rights. The entries on trade policy in the Encyclopedia are here. Often this is aimed at a better observance of core labour standards. Holders of this view tend to support the use of GSP schemes for this purpose since these are unilateral instruments that can be made conditional on a range of factors. The entries on trade policy are here. A third strand is the thought that non-observance of human rights in the form of core labour standards gives the exporting country an unfair advantage because its exporters supposedly incur fewer costs. This is the pauper- labour argument in some other form. The entries on trade policy are here. Although empirical studies cast doubt on the validity of this proposition, the solution usually advocated is that importing countries ought to be able to use trade measures to defend themselves against unfair practices of this sort. This is the basis of calls for rules against so-called social dumping. The entries on trade policy in the Encyclopedia are here. One should not underestimate the force of human rights concerns in countries at all stages of development, but the fact is that in some cases calls for rules on trade and human rights are no more than calls for the imposition of protectionist measures against developing countries. See also Social Charter, social dimension of the liberalization of international trade and wage-differential argument.[1]

Trade and human rightsin the wold Encyclopedia

For an introductory overview on international trade policy, see this entry.

Resources

Notes and References

1. Dictionary of Trade Policy, “Trade and human rights” entry (OAS)

See Also