Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to combine the normative and empirical elements of policy analysis in a national, European and international context. It argues that the effectiveness of institutional mechanisms must be evaluated with regard to different sectors of trade policy which are further disaggregated into the instruments at hand to the policy-maker. The book shows that according to the European Community Treaty, common institutions have the obligation to co-ordinate and harmonise regulations concerning national export promotion measures. It attempts to discredit international institutions in general, but to provide a systematic method of analysing their failures in policy-making. The book outlines a comparative perspective, to point to divergent and convergent trends in government policies reacting to these pressures. It presents data on the performance of national promotion schemes in order to show how official agencies have rewarded business with special concessions.