...193Á223 Regional trade agreements and the pursuit of state interests: institutional perspectives from NAFTA and Mercosur Francesco Duina and Jason Buxbaum Abstract Are regional trade agreements (RTAs) carefully crafted projects that systematically advance their member states’ interests or do they instead generate outcomes that frustrate those interests? Works on the most prominent RTA Á the European Union Á have traditionally been split over this question. New research on international organizations parallels that literature. Combining rational choice and historical institutionalism, this article makes a middle-ground case: the limited rationality of national representatives and the complexity of RTAs ensure both the advancement and frustration of national interests. The focus is on shifting national preferences, the unpredictable implications of decisions over time and the pursuit of short-term gains to the benefit of some constituents but not others. Evidence from NAFTA and Mercosur supports these claims while highlighting, in line with recent scholarship, the need to include politics in institutionalist accounts of integration. The conclusion reflects on the findings and explores whether alternative, more flexible designs for RTAs might satisfy more fully the interests of the member states. Keywords: regional trade agreements; rational choice institutionalism; historical institutionalism; NAFTA; Mercosur; international organizations. Francesco Duina and Jason Buxbaum,...
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...GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication Globalization Globalization A Basic Text George Ritzer This balanced introduction draws on academic and popular sources to examine the major issues and events in the history of globalization. Globalization: A Basic Text is a substantial introductory textbook, designed to work either on its own or alongside Readings in Globalization. The books are cross-referenced and are both structured around the core concepts of globalization. 2009 • 608 pages • 978-1-4051-3271-8 • paperback www.wiley.com/go/globalization Readings in Globalization Key Readings and Major Debates Edited by George Ritzer and Zeynep Atalay This unique and engaging anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes. Readings in Globalization illustrates that major debates in the field are not only useful to examine for their own merit but can extend our knowledge of globalization. The volume explores both the political economy of globalization and the relationship of culture to globalization. The volume is designed so it may be used independently, or alongside George Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text for a complete student resource. 2010 • 560 pages • 978-1-4051-3273-2 • paperback Order together and save! Quote ISBN 978-1-4443-2371-9 GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first...
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...Barbados Barbados is a North American sovereign island country located in the Caribbean. The capital of this state is Bridgetown. This state raised its head as an independent state in 1966 after being a Colony of the British Empire for almost 350 years. Category | Fact | Category | Fact | 1.Size | 439 Square km | 4.Religion | Christianity | 2.Population | 277,821 | 5.Currency | Barbadian Dollar | 3.Language | Barbadian | 6.GDP Rate | $16,653 | The main resources of Barbados are Petroleum, Fish, Natural gas, Sugarcane etc. The national symbols of Barbados are Neptune's trident, pelican, and Red Bird of Paradise flower (also known as Pride of Barbados). In Barbados Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the State and represented locally by Governor General which is at present Elliott Belgrave. These two heads are advised by the Prime Minister of Barbados who is also the Head of the Government on matters of Barbadian state. The current Prime Minister of Barbados is Freundel Stuart. ...
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...Deardorff's Glossary of International Economics - A - Above the line |In balance of payments[->0] accounting, this refers to those transactions that are included in calculating the balance of payments surplus[->1] or deficit. Transactions below the line, typically official reserve transactions[->2] and sometimes short term capital flows[->3], are not included. | Absolute advantage |The ability to produce a good at lower cost, in terms of real resources, than another country. In a Ricardian model[->4], cost is in terms of only labor. Absolute advantage is neither necessary nor sufficient for a country to export a good. See comparative advantage[->5]. | Absolute advantage trade policy |The idea, advocated by opponents of globalization[->6], that a country should import only goods in which other countries have an absolute advantage[->7], particularly goods that the importing country cannot (or cannot "reasonably") produce itself. | Absolute Purchasing Power Parity |See purchasing power parity[->8]. | Absorption |Total demand for final goods and services by all residents (consumers, producers, and government) of a country (as opposed to total demand for that country's output). The term was introduced as part of the Absorption Approach[->9]. | Absorption approach |A way of understanding the determinants of the balance of trade, noting that it is equal to income minus absorption. Due to Alexander (1952)[->10] | Abundant |Available in large supply. Usually meaningful...
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