This article reviews the theoretical and the empirical literature on regionalism. The formation of regional trade agreements has been, by far, the most popular form of reciprocal trade liberalization in the past 15 years. The discriminatory character of these agreements has raised three main...

The correlation between the motives and the results behind TRIPS-plus FTAs appears flawed. FTAs currently entail a shift of a fair balance of interests (if it ever existed) towards developed countries and there is need for action on the level of international law. Remedies must therefore be...