Abstract
This paper shows how the institutional rules imposed on its signatories by the GATT created a strategic incentive for countries to liberalize gradually. Trade liberalization must be gradual, and free trade can never be achieved, if punishment for deviation from an agreement is limited to a 'withdrawal of equivalent concessions' and if initial deviation from an agreement is also limited. The paper shows how (sufficiently patient) countries have an incentive to deviate in a limited way when operating under GATT dispute settlement procedures.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 410-33 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Journal of International Economics |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |