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Promoting sustainable development or legitimising free trade? Civil society mechanisms in EU trade agreements

Jan Orbie (UGent) , Deborah Martens (UGent) , Myriam Oehri and Lore Van Den Putte (UGent)
(2016) THIRD WORLD THEMATICS. 1(4). p.526-546
Author
Organization
Abstract
This study critically reflects on the involvement of civil society actors in the sustainable development chapters of recent EU trade agreements. It discusses how civil society mechanisms may legitimise the underlying neoliberal orientation of the agreements through co-optation of critical actors. Starting from a critical perspective and drawing on evidence from innovative survey data, qualitative interviews and participatory observations, it concludes that, despite overall criticism, there is no clear evidence of co-optation. While being aware of the risks their participation entail, EU participants take a constructive position. Nevertheless, diverging perspectives between non-profit and business actors risk reinforcing existing power asymmetries.
Keywords
Civil society, EU trade agreements, sustainable development, legitimacy, critical perspectives

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Citation

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MLA
Orbie, Jan, et al. “Promoting Sustainable Development or Legitimising Free Trade? Civil Society Mechanisms in EU Trade Agreements.” THIRD WORLD THEMATICS, vol. 1, no. 4, 2016, pp. 526–46.
APA
Orbie, J., Martens, D., Oehri, M., & Van Den Putte, L. (2016). Promoting sustainable development or legitimising free trade? Civil society mechanisms in EU trade agreements. THIRD WORLD THEMATICS, 1(4), 526–546.
Chicago author-date
Orbie, Jan, Deborah Martens, Myriam Oehri, and Lore Van Den Putte. 2016. “Promoting Sustainable Development or Legitimising Free Trade? Civil Society Mechanisms in EU Trade Agreements.” THIRD WORLD THEMATICS 1 (4): 526–46.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Orbie, Jan, Deborah Martens, Myriam Oehri, and Lore Van Den Putte. 2016. “Promoting Sustainable Development or Legitimising Free Trade? Civil Society Mechanisms in EU Trade Agreements.” THIRD WORLD THEMATICS 1 (4): 526–546.
Vancouver
1.
Orbie J, Martens D, Oehri M, Van Den Putte L. Promoting sustainable development or legitimising free trade? Civil society mechanisms in EU trade agreements. THIRD WORLD THEMATICS. 2016;1(4):526–46.
IEEE
[1]
J. Orbie, D. Martens, M. Oehri, and L. Van Den Putte, “Promoting sustainable development or legitimising free trade? Civil society mechanisms in EU trade agreements,” THIRD WORLD THEMATICS, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 526–546, 2016.
@article{8517216,
  abstract     = {{This study critically reflects on the involvement of civil society actors in the sustainable development chapters of recent EU trade agreements. It discusses how civil society mechanisms may legitimise the underlying neoliberal orientation of the agreements through co-optation of critical actors. Starting from a critical perspective and drawing on evidence from innovative survey data, qualitative interviews and participatory observations, it concludes that, despite overall criticism, there is no clear evidence of co-optation. While being aware of the risks their participation entail, EU participants take a constructive position. Nevertheless, diverging perspectives between non-profit and business actors risk reinforcing existing power asymmetries.}},
  author       = {{Orbie, Jan and Martens, Deborah and Oehri, Myriam and Van Den Putte, Lore}},
  issn         = {{2380-2014}},
  journal      = {{THIRD WORLD THEMATICS}},
  keywords     = {{Civil society,EU trade agreements,sustainable development,legitimacy,critical perspectives}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{526--546}},
  title        = {{Promoting sustainable development or legitimising free trade? Civil society mechanisms in EU trade agreements}},
  volume       = {{1}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}