Surveys: An Opportunity to explore Good Theory: Occams Razor: Requires
Tractability.
Good Empirical Work: Requires good theory and structure.
Good Survey’s: Opportunities to explore
What is Trade Policy Conventional framing: Tariff changes. Narrow Economic Interests.
Trade policy today: Agreements: Multi-Issue. Rules
Demand & Supply of Trade Policy Demand Supply
constituent
preferences
Interest groups/parties
Policymaker
preferences
Institutions
Economic Environment
Constituent Preferences Economic Interests:
Consumption benefits. Factor ownership.
Other Values: (Equity, Identity, Community) Knowledge Formation. Risk Aversion
Interest-Groups/Parties Organizing to influence:
Costs of Collective Action. Benefits. Instruments:
Money. Persuasion. Information/Media Organization. Alliances
Policy-Makers Preferences:
Personal Interests. Institutional/Organizational Constituent Interests. General Interests.
Perceptions. Symbolism.
Institutions Trade-Making Authority. USA vs EU Source of Power. Elections: Districts, Party Discipline,
Frequency.
Perceptions, International trade: gets credit and blame.
Trade votes: not only about trade: e.g NAFTA, China PNTR.
Level Playing Field
Process: Only Game in Town?
Changing constraints on domestic policies. Changing policy agendas. Winners& losers in
process Changing responsibilities for trade and domestic
policies. legislative committees, regulators. Changing relationships to international institutions. Interest groups respond. Legislators respond.