Cultural Products and the World Trade Organization

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.

Voon examines how WTO rules apply to 'cultural products', such as film, radio, music and books. Freer trade in these products has caused different reactions among Members. This 2007 book explains the situation and proposes reforms to better balance members' different objectives.