Doha Round Betrayals

Abstract

The Doha Round was supposed to be about the grandest themes of contemporary times, namely, wealth and poverty and Islam and globalization, both of which are inextricably linked to war and peace. Thus, in a commercial sense, it is said the Round is “intended to improve global market access by cutting massive farm subsidies in rich countries and import tariffs in poorer ones . . . .” That characterization is true as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. The Round – intentionally launched in the heart of the Arab Muslim World – was thought to be an important way to fight oppression and, thereby, wean people in poor countries, especially ones with significant Islamic populations, away from anti-capitalist thinking and, worse yet, violent action. [...]