Making EU trade policy : the power of neoliberalism and the poverty of radicalism in the debate on trade and sustainable development chapters

Abstract

Trade and sustainable development chapters (TSD) are included in the European Unions (EU) free trade agreements as a part of the ‘value-based trade agenda’. However, the purpose of these chapters remains unclear, and the positive impact on labour rights and environmental protection is yet to be seen. With the stated intention of improving the TSD chapters, the European Commission initiated a review process. Despite these intentions, the outcome was a plan mainly in keeping with the existing approach. This thesis takes a radical ecological economic approach to the question of compatibility of sustainable development, and free trade agreements. This thesis applies a discursive institutionalist framework, in both theory and method. The review process is analysed in relation to different forms of ideational power. The aim is to identify the central ideas of the actors involved, as well as to understand how the actors frame the issue of sustainable development to either protect the dominant discourse or to change it. The main finding is that the proposals of the actors are, for the most part, in keeping with the Commission’s agenda. Most actors argue for a change within the current system. The radical ideas are few and far between. Amongst these actors the view that sustainable development and free trade is incompatible is not widespread. There is a poverty of radical ideas in the debate. The findings in this thesis lead to the conclusion that the ideational power of the Commission, as well as the power of neoliberal ideas, have set limitations on the debate on TSD. The thesis also argues that more research is required to create an alternative model for sustainable trade.