The Unmaking of Special Rights: Differential Treatment of Developing Countries in Times of Global Power Shifts(New Horizons in International Relations series)

In light of recent significant changes to the global order, The Unmaking of Special Rights explores an often-forgotten aspect of these power shifts: special rights for developing countries. Written by a group of esteemed experts, it analyzes when and how special rights for developing countries have evolved in the context of global power shifts. This informative book outlines how, since decolonization, several global regimes have granted ‘disadvantaged’ members exemptions, yet the rise of Brazil, India, China, and other countries has led to pressure to adjust these rights to new economic realities. Based on case studies in global trade, climate, and health governance, this groundbreaking book comparatively assesses the evolution of differential treatment across global governance, highlighting how treating all developing countries as a single group has gradually been replaced with a more nuanced approach. Chapters cover differentiated responsibilities in the climate regime, capacity, willingness and need in the health regime, and special and differential treatment in the World Trade Organization (WTO). For academics, researchers and students specializing in international economics, law and politics, international political economy, and public policy, this book will be a vital read. Providing in-depth comparative case studies, it will also be of interest to practitioners and policymakers working in international development organizations.

Table of Contents:
Contents: 1 The unmaking of special rights PART I REGIME-LEVEL TRENDS 2 The gradual unmaking of special and differential treatment in the trade regime 3 The reinterpretation of common but differentiated responsibilities in the climate regime 4 Capacity, willingness, and need in the health regime PART II CONFLICT CASE STUDIES 5 Conflicts over special and differential treatment in agriculture 6 Conflicts over transition periods for developing countries in intellectual property rights 7 Conflicts over climate mitigation commitments 8 Conflicts over the institutional landscape of climate finance 9 Conflicts over capacity to pay in the health regime 10 Conclusion References Index

About the Author :
Klaus Dingwerth, Professor of Political Science, School of Economics and Political Science, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, Clara Weinhardt, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University, the Netherlands, Julian Eckl, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Economics and Political Science, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, Till Schöfer, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany and Simon Herr, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland

Review :
‘A fascinating analysis of a core conflict in global governance today – the battle over special treatment for developing countries amid the rise of major economic powers from the Global South. A must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of contemporary power shifts on the liberal international order.’ ‘The Unmaking of Special Rights offers a powerful account of how the international rules made for disadvantaged states are being rolled back as world power shifts. It describes processes of change and resilience, advances a compelling framework to explain them, and analyzes dynamics in the trade, climate, and health regimes. The book is essential reading for scholars working in these areas, and important for everyone seeking to understand global politics today.’ i>‘Leveraging a sophisticated theoretical framework and using original qualitative data, this thought-provoking book explores the puzzling variety of differential treatments established across developed and developing countries. Looking at trade, climate, and health regimes, the authors skillfully conduct both cross-case comparison and focused within-case analyses. This book will be of interest to scholars working on global norm contestation, institutional fragmentation, developing countries coalitions, informal institutions, and international law dynamics.’