EJIL: Debate!

• Hoekman, Bernard 1
• Nelson, Douglas 2

Abstract

How should we think about the winners and losers from globalization? What role can narrative analysis play in doing so? We argue that to be useful, identifying politically relevant narratives on the distributional effects of globalization, and the role played by trade agreements in fostering such effects, must have an empirical basis. Characterizing different narratives and inferring from each the implications for the (re-)design of international agreements without analysis whether the suggested policy reforms will help losers from globalization does not advance matters. Effectively employed, narrative analysis can extend our knowledge of the politics of trade and policy towards globalization more generally. To do so, it must have an analytical foundation, centre on the relationship of the narrative to the facts, ask which narrative is more persuasive based on empirical evidence and assess whether inferred policy implications will address the core issues of concern to those who employ the narrative.

• 1European University Institute, Florence, Italy; Centre for Economic Policy and Research, London, UK
• 2Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA