Economic Development Through Regional Trade - by K Kimbugwe & N Perkidis & M Yeung & W Kerr (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Regional trade agreements proliferated in Africa in the wake of independence from colonial rule. For the most part these agreements failed to deliver the regional integration and economic benefits that were promised, and amounted to little more than a propaganda coup for the leaders that signed them. This book explores conventional explanations of the failure of these agreements, and challenges the accepted wisdom, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between "Big Man" politics and crony capitalism. The rise of second generation regional trade agreements in the first decade of the twenty-first century emphasises the pressing need for a revised assessment of the aims, consequences and scope of these agreements. This book focuses on the revitalized East African Community to examine the potential benefits of modern agreements to foster economic development and the hurdles that must be overcome to realize this potential"--

Book Synopsis

Post-colonial Africa is littered with regional trade agreements that amounted to little more than a photo opportunity for the leaders that signed them. This book explores conventional explanations for past failures and posits a new theory rooted in the symbiotic relationship between authoritarian politics and crony-capitalism.

About the Author

KATO KIMBUGWE Economist with an array of policy, research and teaching experience focusing on the impact of trade barriers on African industry. He has contributed to many successful business start-ups, including the delivery of turnkey projects in various African markets. Kato is currently working as a Private Sector Development Advisor for UK Department for International Development (DFID) helping to deliver private sector development and growth objectives in the British Overseas Territories.

NICHOLAS PERDIKIS Director of the School of Management and Business at Aberystwyth University, UK, and a Research Associate at the Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, Saskatoon, Canada. His research interests include International Trade Policy and Integration. Nickhas acted as a consultant to the United Nations Committee for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

MAY T. YEUNG Research Associate at the Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, Canada. Her research interests include international trade policy, international marketing and business as well as agricultural trade. She is the co-author or author of several books, numerous technical reports and multiple research papers.

WILLIAM A. KERR University Distinguished Chair Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and a Senior Associate of the Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade. His research focuses on international trade policy, trade negotiations and trade disputes. He has authored over 300 academic publications including 20 books.