GTA-CEPR-ACET Joint Call for Papers on
ANALYSES OF CONTEMPORARY PROTECTIONISM
Organisers: Simon J. Evenett (University of St. Gallen and CEPR)
and Nicolas Depetris Chauvin (ACET)
Global Trade Alert (GTA) and the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) are pleased to announce a joint call or original research papers on the subject of contemporary protectionism (specific topics are listed below). The call is designed to promote research on the effects of contemporary protectionism, including the sorts of protectionist measures that have been imposed during the recent global economic crisis. We would particularly like to encourage submissions from non-economic specialists as well as economists; younger and female scholars are also encouraged to apply, as are applicants from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) or with expertise on trade and commercial policy in.
To apply, please email a copy of your abstract to the organisers, copied to Nadine Clarke/Claudia Piccioni at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (cpiccioni@cepr.org or nclarke@cepr.org). Abstracts should be no longer than one page and should include the author’s name and contact information, title, and a short description of the paper, stating clearly the relevance to academics and/or practitioners. Submissions may be in English or French.
The deadline for submission of paper outlines is 25 April 2012. Successful authors will be notified by 30 April 2012 and will receive a £4,000 (Four thousand UK pounds sterling) commissioning fee, which will be paid upon submission of the finalised paper on 1 June 2012.
A total of up to five papers will be commissioned and presented at a conference that will be held in Accra, Ghana on 19-21 June 2012. Air fares and accommodation will also be provided for authors if required. Questions concerning this call for papers can be directed to Nicolas Depetris Chauvin (ncdepetris@acetforafrica.org) or Simon Evenett (simon.evenett@unisg.ch).
Topics covered by this call for papers.
While it is not essential that each paper use the Global Trade Alert database on protectionism (available at http://www.globaltradealert.org/data-exports), creative uses of this database are encouraged and should be described in the submitted paper Abstract.
I. Analyses of sectors where there has been a lot of discrimination in the current crisis:
a. Studies here could focus on effects more broadly (including the impact of subsidies on the speed of capacity reduction and adjustment), value-for-money of initiatives (cost per dollar of jobs saved), and factors affecting exit strategies. For example, sectors such as textiles, automobiles, with substantial supply chains into developing countries.
b. Lessons from previous OECD initiatives to unwind subsidies in certain major sectors.
II. The use of certain commonly-used trade policy instruments and the case (if any) for reformed international trade rules.
a. The focus here could be on subsidies, public procurement, export incentives, and relatively infrequent resort to tariff increases.
b. Proper evaluation of the Eichengreen-Irwin hypothesis (concerning the flexibility of macroeconomic policies and exchange rate regimes providing better alternatives to protectionism.)
c. Evaluation of currency-setting practices during the crisis.
d. Instrument-specific evaluations of the impact of regional and multilateral trade rules.
i. An evaluation of the EC's Temporary Framework on subsidies and state aids could be interesting.
ii. Have countries that were subject to WTO TPRs during 2008-2010 tended to engage in less cross-border discrimination?
III. National decisions concerning who to protect, and how, and in relation to post-crisis trade policy priorities:
a. Did the crisis alter the ability of different sectors to obtain protectionism and other favours from governments?
b. Outside of the financial sector, why does there appear to be so little crisis-related discrimination in service sectors? (Non-GTA analysts have confirmed this impression too. Is it simply a matter of these sectors being relatively closed to international competition in the first place?)
c. Given what we know about the discriminatory measures taken, their sectoral incidence, and the measures in the pipeline, what will be the likely impact of the crisis on different national trade policy priorities? How much has really changed?
IV. Studies relating to the integrity of the GTA database and its findings, possibly contrasting its findings to pre-crisis observations and other monitoring initiatives undertaken during the crisis.
V. Any other topic that relates to the determinants and effects of contemporary protectionism.
Global Trade Alert
Global Trade Alert (GTA) is an independent initiative, co-ordinated by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) that provides information in real time on state measures taken during the current global economic downturn that are likely to discriminate against foreign commerce. Established in June 2010, GTA complements and goes beyond existing monitoring initiatives by identifying those trading partners likely to be harmed by state measures. The GTA website (globaltradealert.org) allows policy-makers, exporters, the media, and analysts to search the posted government measures by implementing country, by trading partners harmed, and by sector. Third parties are also able to report suspicious state measures and governments will be given the right to reply to any of their measures listed on the website. GTA provides up-to-date information and informed commentary that helps to ensure that the G20 pledge not to "repeat the historic mistakes of protectionism of previous eras" is met, by maintaining confidence in the world trading system, deterring beggar-thy-neighbour acts, and preserving the contribution that exports could play in the future recovery of the world economy.
African Center for Economic Transformation
The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is an economic policy institution supporting the long-term growth and transformation of African economies. Our vision is that by 2025 all African countries will drive their own growth and transformation agendas, led by the private sector and supported by capable states with strong institutions and good policies. As a think and do tank, we combine research and analysis with advisory services and advocacy. Bringing an authentic African perspective, we have a core staff of more than 20 professionals in Accra, augmented by our vast network of leading thinkers throughout the world.