Compliance in “exceptional” trade disputes: a set-theoretical approach

• Published in: Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional Vol. 63; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Author: Cezar, Rodrigo Fagundes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brasília Instituto Brasileiro de Relacoes Internacionais 01-01-2020; Instituto Brasileiro de Relacoes Internaciðnais; Instituto Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais
• Subjects: bargaining power; Case studies; Civil society; Comparative analysis; Compliance; Disputes; Domestic politics; Exceptions; GATT; general exceptions; Heterogeneity; International trade; Mobilization; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Politics; qualitative comparative analysis; Tariffs; Think tanks; Trade disputes; Variables; Vetoes; WTO disputes; Brasil; Brazil; United States > US
• ISSN: 0034-7329; 1983-3121
• DOI: 10.1590/0034-7329202000103

This article uses the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) method to examine the combinations of conditions that explain the length of World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes that invoke General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs' (GATT) General Exceptions (Article XX). Using the Brazil-EC controversy over retreaded tires as an example, the work underscores the importance of the mobilization of civil society organizations such as NGOs and think tanks in association with power asymmetry and/or veto players. The article contributes to understanding the causal complexity and empirical heterogeneity of "exceptional" disputes (disputes in which a party invokes GATT's General Exceptions). Keywords: WTO disputes; general exceptions; qualitative comparative analysis; domestic politics; bargaining power; compliance. Received: July 28, 2019 Accepted: November 18, 2019