Home Page Research Book Reviews Green Politics and Global Trade

|  Search

Book Reviews

Environmental interests were first introduced into trade policy during the period leading up to congressional passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Audley, a political scientist, brings an insider's perspective to this valuable book on how environmentalists were able to incorporate environmental issues into trade policy: he represented the Sierra Club in trade policy negotiations from 1991 to 1993. Employing a content analysis of original documents, congressional records, and media coverage, Audley describes the role of environmental organizations in the formation of trade policy beginning with the 1991 Fast Track reauthorization through NAFTA up until the present. The ability of environmental groups to threaten NATFA's passage along with the willingness of accommodating environmental organizations to moderate their demands in exchange for formal roles in trade policymaking were central to the nature of NAFTA's considerable environmental provisions. Whether environmental issues were neutralized prior to the House vote or whether NAFTA opponents used the environment to obscure other motives, environmental concerns were not important considerations for members of Congress; nor have environmental issues had an impact on trade policy since. Highly recommended for those interested in trade or environmental policy.

David A. Latzko Business and Economics Division Pennsylvania State University, York Campus office: 13 Main Classroom Building phone: (717) 771-4115 fax: (717) 771-4062 DXL31@psu.edu www.yk.psu.edu/~dxl31