Integration without Institutions

The Nafta Mutation of the EC Model and the Future of the Gatt Regime

Bibliographic Data

ID4864166
AuthorsFrederick M Abbott (0000-0002-6856-545X, Florida State University, corresponding author)
Year1992
Volume40
Issue4
Pages917
Publication date1992-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe American Journal of Comparative Law (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-919X • E-ISSN: 2326-9197
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/840798
OpenAlexW1991204704
LanguageEN
Citations received14

Integration may be viewed as an evolutionary outgrowth of heightened social and economic interdependence brought about by advances in technology. As persons, goods, capital, services and ideas cross artificial national frontiers at increased rates of speed, the wisdom of imposing disparate governmental regulatory measures is not only called into question because of a variety of factors relating to efficiencies and economies of scale, but the authority of competing national power structures to regulate these flows is called upon for examination.The NAFTA itself is, like the EC, an experiment. It will provide a model for other nations which are interested in reducing trade barriers, but not in creating significant central institutions or in harmonizing laws and regulations. The EC model is a comparative success. In addressing problems confronted by the new NAFTA,solutions may be found by examining the EC experience. Of course, the EC model itself is imperfect and is continually being refined. Perhaps the NAFTA will benefit by observation of the EC as it works its way through the obstacles on the path to completed integration.Though the ambition of the NAFTA regarding the creation of regional institutions is rather modest, and the arrangement is lacking in mechanisms for the harmonization of law, the planting of the acorn of regional institutions in the NAFTA may prove to be a worthwhile task, in the hope of its long term growth into a solid oak of institutions capable of creating a complete and effective NAFTA regional arrangement

Business · Economics · Harmonization · Intellectual property · International economics · International trade · Law and economics · Political science · Regional Integration · EU Law and Policy Analysis · Global trade and economics · Law · World Trade Organization Law

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