Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Notes on contributors
- Foreword
- Preface: the ICC vision
- Historical overview and dynamics
- Editorial note
- A Global systemic transformations
- B Governance of global trade
- C Poverty and global inequities
- Editorial introduction
- C1 Trade and poverty: an old debate rekindled
- C2 Trade policy as an instrument of social justice
- C3 Trade, employment and global responsibilities
- C4 Misconceptions about the WTO, trade, development and aid
- C5 Two hundred years after Jefferson
- C6 Trade, coercive forces and national governance
- C7 Gender equality in trade
- C8 Trading health for comfort
- C9 Unlocking entrepreneurial potential
- C10 Trade and security: a vital link to sustainable development in a troubled world
- D The long view on interlocking crises
- E Global business responsibilities
- Conclusion: the imperative of inclusive global growth
- Index
C6 - Trade, coercive forces and national governance
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 July 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Notes on contributors
- Foreword
- Preface: the ICC vision
- Historical overview and dynamics
- Editorial note
- A Global systemic transformations
- B Governance of global trade
- C Poverty and global inequities
- Editorial introduction
- C1 Trade and poverty: an old debate rekindled
- C2 Trade policy as an instrument of social justice
- C3 Trade, employment and global responsibilities
- C4 Misconceptions about the WTO, trade, development and aid
- C5 Two hundred years after Jefferson
- C6 Trade, coercive forces and national governance
- C7 Gender equality in trade
- C8 Trading health for comfort
- C9 Unlocking entrepreneurial potential
- C10 Trade and security: a vital link to sustainable development in a troubled world
- D The long view on interlocking crises
- E Global business responsibilities
- Conclusion: the imperative of inclusive global growth
- Index
Summary
Trade has not ceased to be the single most important activity that brings people together voluntarily. Naturally, this voluntary exchange rests on a market principle based on a willing seller and a willing buyer at an agreed price.
At the height of their glory, many pre-colonial African states and empires found trade to be a better way to prosperity than conquests. Gold was shipped from Wangara in the Upper Niger across the Sahara desert to Taghaza, in Western Sahara, in exchange for salt, and to Egypt for ceramics, silks and other Asian and European goods. The old Ghana empire controlled much of the trans-Sahara trade in copper and ivory. At Great Zimbabwe, gold was traded for Chinese pottery and glass. From Nigeria, leather and iron goods were traded throughout West Africa.
Today, many trading posts have been brought together through conventions and rules, culminating in the establishment of a supra-national authority such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Globalized trade has lessened suspicion, promoted multiculturalism and peace. Nonetheless, we are at the edge of losing it to special interests groups and lobbyists seeking all manner of favours from the WTO and individual member nations. The inability of the WTO to revive the collapsed Doha trade talks points to the deep schism and mistrust among trading nations. Such staggering inertia in deepening trade ties has been made worse by the global financial difficulties.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Peace and Prosperity through World TradeAchieving the 2019 Vision, pp. 153 - 157Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010