From the global market to the global village: 'free' trade, health and the World Trade Organization

摘要

We live in perhaps the most important historical moment of our species. Our planet is dying. There is excessive affluence and poverty. Once far-away conflicts and diseases are imperiling global health and security. We are struggling forward to some system of global governance for our common good. In Western countries, a similar national struggle took place in the 19th century. The first laws and regulatory system in such countries regulated the capitalist class for their own interests, at the expense of the workers, women, the poor, the environment. But such laws became the platform around which progressive social struggles created reciprocal responsibilities from both state and market, creating our 20th century welfare state. A similar struggle is being enacted globally today. Trade agreements are the first truly enforceable international laws we have created. They benefit the capitalist class. They have also become the focus for progressive social movements globally demanding that governments similarly abide by their agreements to protect the environment, promote human rights, achieve health for all and re-distribute wealth through universal education and social support systems. The WTO, originally a vehicle primarily wielded to rich countries' benefit, is increasingly under siege by developing countries, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations. Some democratic globalizers urge the WTO's abolition. This would be a mistake, for there is no other vehicle where the unequal balance of economic power globally might be subject to enforceable change. Civil society and developing country struggles to wrest reforms in the WTO are giving rise to a new system of global governance for the common good. We cannot say whether these struggles will succeed. But we know the global policy options that will work to promote health. We know where these must be advocated - with our national governments, our fellow citizens, our global institutions.