December 5, 2008

Colloquium Topic: A General Theory of Trade and Competition: Trade Liberalization and Competitive Markets

What is the interconnection or interrelationship between trade and competition? A market economy must function for the benefit of consumers with attendant changes in policy. This requires focus on competition law principles and liberalized trade policy as an integrated approach. The relationship of trade law to antitrust (competition) law, environmental controls and labor regulation are the legal infrastructure underlying globalization. Is it possible to build a model to express the general theory of trade and competition? The model would assess the impact of market distortions that are anti-competitive on trade flows, and generalize a relationship from how this affected a number of different sectors.

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Colloquium Speaker: Shanker Singham

Shanker Singham is recognized globally as a leader in the law of international trade, market access and global competition. Published A General Theory of Trade and Competition: Trade Liberalization and Competitive Markets (2006). He earned BA and MA degrees in Chemistry at Oxford University, studied Law at Guildford College of Law and received a JD from the University of Miami. He is a litigator in some of the world’s most complex and highly politicized legal issues: global market access and international trade competition. He has advised trade ministers in several countries of the world.