PS 240: Introduction to World Politics
Christopher K. Butler, Assistant Professor
Fall 2009

Writing Assignment 3:
Friday, October 30
The World Trade Organization
  • A Citizen's Guide to the World Trade Organization from Global Trade Watch.

  • Twelve Reasons to Oppose the World Trade Organization from Global Exchange.

  • IFG Media Briefing on the WTO, November 4, 1999, from the International Forum on Globalization.

  • The WTO in Brief from the World Trade Organization.

  • Ten Benefits of the WTO Trading System from the World Trade Organization.

  • Ten Common Misunderstandings about the WTO from the World Trade Organization.

    The WTO has often been criticized for being undemocratic and merely the tool of big business. The readings by various activist organizations are examples of these (and other) criticisms. The readings authorized by the WTO are meant to disspell these criticisms. Briefly state what you believed about the WTO (if anything) before doing the reading. Then discuss what you believe about the WTO after reading from both sides. Finally, discuss what information you would need to change your beliefs about the WTO.



    • Requirements for a Writing Assignment:

    Writing assignments should be typed (word-processed) to fit on one-page, single-spaced, addressing the points and/or questions above. A hard copy (i.e., a print out) is to be turned in on the day of the assigned reading. Any information used from a source other than yourself (i.e., facts, figures, or general ideas) should be cited in a footnote that gives the author, year of publication, title, source, and page number. Any group of three or more words borrowed from another source should be placed between quotation marks and also given a citation in a footnote. I do not want to see lengthy quotations, even from the document(s) being discussed. It is appropriate to acknowledge people who gave you ideas or comments on your writing for this assignment; this acknowledgement should be placed in a footnote attached to the title. Writing assignments will be graded based on a rubric, the general framework of which is discussed in the syllabus.