Also, some have argued (to my mind, fairly convincingly) that the "big powers" in the WTO (especially the US) are using the threat of labor/environmental standards to get TW countries to kowtow to guaranteeing bio-tech and other TNC's intellectual property rights (high value-added exports from the North).
John Gulick
Ted sez:
>The issue is whether or not opposition to the WTO translates into opposition
>to the global "free trade" economy. Let's say labor and environmental
>groups manage to get their reforms enacted at the WTO. We'll see reduced
>environmental damage in the global South, and those few lucky enough to find
>work will receive better wages and working conditions. Those are important
>gains, but they don't confront the underlying problem. It's still
>neo-colonialism. Poor countries are not being developed for their own good
>but for the good of foreign investors and multinationals. These are
>primarily agricultural societies. Their peasant cultures are getting ripped
>out by the roots, forcing millions into overcrowded and dangerous cities.
>Does it really matter so much that a small percentage of these people will
>benefit from labor rights?
>
>I'm not belittling the value of labor rights. But the main issue is the
>right of a country to determine its own development. Poor countries
>absolutely should be allowed to protect their agriculture and industries.
>They should not be obligated to pay their foreign debts. They should be
>able get loans and grants without having to slash funding for domestic
>social programs or to put all their energy into exports of raw goods. They
>should be encouraged to overcome dependence on foreign investment by
>cultivating their own domestic base of capital. Yes, they should be
>encouraged to respect labor and human rights, but they should also gain
>control over their own development. This is never going to happen under
>current "free-trade" economics. Getting a seat at the table at WTO
>negotiations is not going to bring about the profound transformations
>required. Under current economic conditions, undeveloped countries are so
>desperate for foreign investment that they have no choice but to maintain
>lax environmental and labor standards. In order to ally ourselves with the
>South, we must get beyond attempts to regulate the neo-colonial system and
>bring on its abolition. This is why big labor and big green are deserving
>of criticism.