Reinventing the Development Wheel of the World Trading System (Reviewing Sonia E. Rolland, Development at the World Trade Organization (2012))

In probing how WTO norms may affect developing countries, Sonia Rolland introduces two paradigms in this book: development as an idiosyncrasy and development as a normative co-constituent to trade. The first paradigm concerns development-related exceptions and carve-outs found within WTO rules and agreements that exemplify a contingent provision of special favors to developing countries. Overall, it represents a limited mandate on development in the WTO. In contrast, the second paradigm embodies a normative operationalization of development agenda within the WTO system. It normatively reconstructs WTO rules and institutions in a way where development is a core mandate of the WTO, on par with free trade. In her reform proposals, the author reveals a subterranean advocacy of a shift from the first to second paradigm. The author offers a rare in-depth account of the past, present, and future of development in the world trading system. This Review Essay complements the author’s ambitious project by locating some missing pieces of this grand puzzle of trade and development, such as general trade rules and disciplines. (Reviewing Sonia E. Rolland, Development at the World Trade Organization (2012))