Discussion Papers, Policy Papers, Books & Reports, Bulletin, Newsletter, Economic Policy Lunchtime Meetings, Workshops & Conferences, Events Diary, Previous Events Programme Areas, Current Research Projects, Networks, Vacancies Programme Directors, Researchers Lists, Noticeboard Press Releases, Coverage, Request a Press Release Data?, Resources for Economists, Data on Other sites Membership information Login, Create a Profile, Profile Benefits, Your Profile Settings, Forgot Your Password? Site Map, How to find us, How to Order Publications, Privacy Policy, Feedback How to find us, Frequently Asked Questions, ESRC Site Guide, Frequently Asked Questions, Vacancies, How to Search Site Map, How to find us, How to Order Publications, Privacy Policy, Feedback CEPR Home Page You have items in your shopping cart. Click to view your cart
Google
http://cepr.org/

Policies for the Poor

This interview is with L Alan Winters, one of the authors of Trade Liberalization and Poverty: A Handbook. This Handbook, published with the Department for International Development (DFID), examines how openness to trade is a key element of economic policy and how our concerns about the world's poor should affect our attitude towards and implementation of trade liberalization.

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

Listen to the whole interview (9 mins)
or
Listen to the individual questions below...
Questions and Answers

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

1. Is your backing for free trade as enthusiastic as one might expect? Who is right, protesters or economists? [James Morgan]
... Free trade is good for you…the handbook is realistic…but recognizes that pulling down trade barriers isn’t the only thing…invest in social, physical infrastructure ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

2.  Do the LDCs have the capacity to liberalize and do those other things - provide the necessary physical and social infrastructure at the same time? [James Morgan]
Trade liberalization helps in all circumstances…best of combined with other policies...should be there anyway ... they become more relevant ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

3. Trade liberalization makes winners and losers. But in the developing world the losers are especially hard hit [James Morgan]
... Liberalize sensibly, there won’t be many losers…but they can be helped...change crops…market better…better regulations, public services ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

4. You emphasize the importance of agriculture but power is in the towns and they demand protection [James Morgan]
Poverty alleviation policies have to concentrate on the rural... spillovers ... poor spend 50-60% of income on food ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

5. Anti-dumping causes the most anger. Are there no cases of unfair trade? [James Morgan]
... Maybe 3% of cases ...those can be dealt with by other methods ... danger not just US, EU ... LDCs may start and thus damage their own people ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

6. Is it true that developing countries always lose on intellectual property protection? [James Morgan]
... Very small, very poor ones yes ... India, Brazil no ... but much work needed on who can gain ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

7. In the developed world people feel they want to help those who suffer poor employment and environmental conditions. Is there not a case for standards? [James Morgan]
... Maybe, but have to be appropriate and adopted willingly ... dangers of partial coverage ... cannot be imposed by trade sanctions ... [L. Alan Winters]

To hear the audio you will need to
download and install the flash player

8.  You suggest that post-September 11 conditions could improve the chances of the proposed new trade round [James Morgan]
... Becoming clear that the world is a community ... cooperation the sensible way ... trade policy can help heal the wounds. [L. Alan Winters]

Trade Liberalization and Poverty: A Handbook - Report Details

Listen to other audio interviews

Trade liberalization is an important ally in the fight against poverty in the developing world. But how can policy-makers ensure that its impact on the poor is as beneficial as possible? A new Report explains how to think through the key issues - Read more in "European Economic Perspectives"
Your current location: Press > Audio > P144
Top CEPR, 53-56 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DG
United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7183 8801     Fax: +44 (0)20 7183 8820
Email: cepr@cepr.org     Webmaster: webmaster@cepr.org 		Home
With the support of the European Union: Support for bodies active at European level in the field of active European citizenship