in International Trade Negotiations and Beyond
About the book: Amrita Narlikar argues that, contrary to common assumption, modern-day politics displays a surprising paradox: poverty - and the powerlessness with which it is associated - has emerged as a political tool and a formidable weapon in international negotiation. The success of poverty narratives, however, means that their use has not been limited to the neediest. Focusing on behaviours and outcomes in a particularly polarising area of bargaining - international trade - and illustrating wider applications of the argument, Narlikar shows how these narratives have been effectively used. Yet, she also sheds light on how indiscriminate overuse and misuse increasingly run the risk of adverse consequences for the system at large and devastating repercussions for the weakest members of society. Narlikar advances a theory of agency and empowerment by focusing on the life-cycles of narratives and concludes by offering policy-relevant insights on how to construct winning and sustainable narratives.
About the author: Amrita is President of the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies in Hamburg as well as Professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at Hamburg Universität. Amrita’s research expertise lies in the areas of multilateralism, international negotiation, WTO, and also rising powers. Her previous books include: Bargaining with a Rising India: Lessons from the Mahabharata (co-authored, Oxford University Press, 2014) and The Oxford Handbook on the World Trade Organization (co-edited, Oxford University Press, 2012). Click here for full list of publications.
Discussant: Charles Roger (Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals)
Moderator: Kari Otteburn (KU Leuven)
Participation is free and the webinar can be joined from anywhere in the world.