Civil Society and the FTAA: A Case Study in the Lobbying Strategies of US-based NGOs
Sampson, Kristin
2004
- Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Abstract: The pace of economic and trade liberalization has increased dramatically in recent years. Advocates of increased liberalization point to the long-term economic benefits that global open markets encourage: increased efficiency, greater variety in consumption, ... read moreincreased income. Critics of further trade liberalization often cite the severe, economic hardship that often afflicts the poorest sectors during the transition period, and the limitations international trade agreements can place on national sovereignty over domestic public policy decisions. The two camps are often pitted against each other with little effective dialogue occurring. This paper will examine the effectiveness of and strategies used by United States' NGOs in influencing the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. The hypothesis that US-based NGOs exhibit a 'boomerang effect' in their strategies is examined. It is suggested that the anti-FTAA positions do not resonate with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and that therefore these organizations have found greater impact on the FTAA draft text and negotiations by partnering with Southern NGOs to influence Southern governments. The paper concludes with recommendations on improving the effectiveness of NGOs that are critical of the FTAA.read less
- ID:
- p84190213
- Component ID:
- tufts:UA015.012.DO.00067
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