ASIL International Economic Law Interest Group: A Call for Papers

The American Society of International Law has an active International Economic Law (IEL) Interest Group. Most notably, it holds a biennial conference geared to a common IEL theme, with the papers presented then collected and published in some form, including THE POLITICS OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW, Tomer Broude, Amy Porges and Marc L. Busch eds., Cambridge University Press (forthcoming 2010); INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW: THE STATE AND FUTURE OF THE DISCIPLINE, Colin B. Picker, Isabella D. Bunn and Douglas W. Arner eds., Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2008; and TRADE AS THE GUARANTOR OF PEACE, LIBERTY AND SECURITY? CRITICAL HISTORICAL AND EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVES, Padideh Ala’i, Tomer Broude, & Colin Picker eds., ASIL Press, 2006.

The IEL interest group will hold its next biennial conference on November 18-20, 2010 at the University of Minnesota Law School (Minnestoa is co-sponsoring the conference and its Journal of International Law is apparently poised to publish this year’s collection of papers as part of a special symposium issue). The theme this time is International Economic Law in a Time of Change: Reassessing Legal Theory, Doctrine, Methodology and Policy Prescriptions. Here’s an extract from the call for papers:

The start of the second decade of the twenty-first century is witnessing a confluence of events affecting international economic law that calls for re-evaluation. The international context has radically changed. Most analysts contend that we are shifting toward a multi-polar world in light of economic transformations in China, India, Brazil, and other developing and transitional countries, coupled with economic stagnation in the United States and Europe which are beset by a financial crisis and embroiled in foreign wars and security concerns. These developments have arguably complicated international economic governance, yet other factors–such as the current financial crisis–press consideration of new forms of international economic governance, such as the G-20. Global economic interdependence, exemplified by global production and supply chains, calls for sustained attention to international economic law and institutions. . . .

This call for papers welcomes submissions that provide new analytic frameworks, reassess legal theory, evaluate developments in legal doctrine, engage in empirical analysis of the way international economic law operates, and provide guidance for policymakers, regulators and adjudicators in this time of international economic change.

The range of possible topics is wide—the list below is provided as a thought-starter of possible topics identified by the conference committee. We welcome however quality proposals on any international economic law topic.
* Methodological approaches for studying international economic law and their implications;
* Interpretive approaches to international economic law: theory vs. practice;
* Reform of international economic governance institutions, such as the WTO, IMF, World Bank, the G-8/G-20; international standards organizations;
* The interaction of institutions in a fragmented international economic law system;
* The role of hard and soft law in international economic governance, such as financial regulation;
* The interaction of private transnational economic governance regimes with public law;
* The interaction of international economic law and domestic law and politics;
* Theoretical and empirical studies on how international economic law institutions work;
* Theoretical and empirical studies on the handling of trade and investment disputes;
* Accountability and legitimacy of international economic governance;
* Climate change and its implications for international economic governance;
* Handling food and consumer safety risks in international trade;
* International economic law and the reassessment of development policies;
* New governance techniques in international economic law: their prospects and limits;
* Teaching international economic law: using new technologies;
* The future of international economic law after the financial crisis;
* The rise of China and a new international economic order?;
* Proliferating regional trade and investment agreements: complementing or supplanting multilateralism?; and
* The implications of the Doha Round for international economic law governance

The deadline for paper proposals is July 30, 2010, with decisions on inclusion by September 1, 2010, and full drafts due by November 1, 2010. Paper proposals should include the author’s name and full contact information, and an abstract of no more than 300 words. A Conference Committee will review and select proposals. Questions about the conference or paper proposals can be directed to 2010IELconference@gmail.com.