why and how the wto talks failed, and who's to blame

it's not often i find myself purusing a magazine such as the economist, but when i saw this cover peeking out from the rack at the 59th & lex 6 stop this evening, i decided to risk infuriation and pick up a copy...


suprisingly, i found the cover story to be exceptionally fair and balanced, heaping most of the blame on the u.s. and the e.u. for reneging on their promises to poorer nations, with regards to tariffs and farm subsidies, but also holding the poor nations and ngos accountable for their posturing and rhetoric.

in the end, the reality is that these poor nations may ultimately suffer worse than if the talks had succeeded—that is, if you believe free market capitalism will save the 3rd world. honestly though, they do make a valid point...