The global economy depends on a range of institutions to resolve disputes between states, between states and investors, and between private traders. Many of these institutions use private arbitration to manage disputes, giving private lawyers substantial influence on who wins and who loses in global commerce.

Two new books explain the political origins and consequences of the investment and commercial arbitration regimes, respectively:

• Dr. Lauge Poulsen (Department of Political Science, UCL), Bounded Rationality and Economic Diplomacy: The Politics of Investment Treaties in Developing Countries shows why, and how, developing countries entered into investment treaties before and after the rise of investment arbitration

• Dr. Thomas Hale (Blavatnik School, Oxford), Between Interests and Law: The Politics of Transnational Commercial Disputes shows how the interplay of political and legal dynamics has shaped arbitration from the Industrial Revolution to the present

The authors will discuss the books findings in the context of the evolving dispute resolution regimes. As new “mega-regional” trade agreements aim to reshape the landscape of global economic institutions, how do we expect commercial and investment arbitration to evolve? What role do emerging powers play in the regimes? What institutional developments can promote a more fair and efficient set of institutions in the future?

The event is co-sponsored by the Global Economic Governance Programme and the Centre for International Studies.

Speakers

• Dr. Emily Jones, Associate Professor, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University (chair)
• Dr. Thomas Hale, Associate Professor, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University
• Dr. Lauge Poulsen, Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University College London
• Dr. Taylor St John, Fellow in International Political Economy, London School of Economics

The event is open to all, no registration required. For more information email: gegevents@univ.ox.ac.uk