The WTO 'constitution' and proposed reforms: Seven 'mantras' revisited

This article invites the reader to take a step back and look at the big picture of the world trading system. After putting the WTO into its historic perspective, seven catch phrases that sound reassuring, but are almost never thought through, the so-called seven 'Mantras', are questioned. Observations from Seattle lead to reflections on internal decision-making, before the focus is broadened to external relations of the WTO, a discussion of transparency and the participation of non-state actors. In its conclusion, this article suggests that systemic or 'constitutional' issues deserve deeper discussion and analysis for a healthy evolution of the system as a whole.