Introduction

Like many other international organizations, the World Trade Organization stands at a crossroads. There is an obvious imbalance between the organization’s dispute settlement arm and its negotiation platform.

Current Challenges

While its current rules, supported by a strong dispute settlement system, have provided some buffering against the negative effects of the financial crises, its negotiation machinery has not produced any substantial outcomes since the late 1990s.

Need for Change

It has become obvious that the old way of doing business does not work any more and fresh ideas about governing the organization are needed.

Our Contribution

Based on rigorous scholarship, this volume of essays offers critical readings on the functioning of the system and provides policy-relevant ideas that go beyond incremental redesign but avoid the trap of romantic scenarios.