‘Big Men’ and Little Trade

Kato Kimbugwe, Nicholas Perdikis, May Yeung and William Kerr
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Kato Kimbugwe: Aberystwyth University
Nicholas Perdikis: Aberystwyth University

Chapter 1 in Economic Development Through Regional Trade, 2012, pp 1-10 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract It is a familiar scene: black limousines with flags fluttering on the wings arriving at a banner bedecked conference centre sporting a new coat of paint. Fierce, burly men in dark glasses and black suits escort two or more of Africa’s flamboyant Big Men into the venue as the television cameras whir, digital cameras flash and smartly dressed school children wave small flags on cue. In the hall the Big Men make the obligatory speeches about the wisdom of cooperating with neighbours and the large expected benefits of trade liberalisation. The audience dutifully applauds, there are smiles all around and the Big Men move to a prominent table for a ritual inking of a regional free trade agreement. The media’s recording of the event is shown on the evening news and is captured prominently on the front pages of newspapers the next morning. The Big Men jet back home and await the prosperity their economists told them the agreement will bring.

Keywords: World Trade Organization; Trade Agreement; Trade Liberalization; Regional Trade; Custom Official (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-230-36992-4_1

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DOI: 10.1057/9780230369924_1

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