Issue No. 581, 16-30 Nov 2014
Investment accords come under growing scrutiny

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Tide turns on investor treaties
The winds of change are blowing against trade and investment treaties that contain the investor-sue-the-state system, which is now described as “toxic” by Western politicians and media.
by Martin Khor

Investment treaties bring more risk than benefit
Developed countries rethinking the merits of investment accords can look to South Africa and Ecuador for examples of the potential harm these pacts pose – and of what can be done about it.
by Kevin P. Gallagher

Cosmetic changes to fundamentally flawed World Bank report
Despite some changes in its methodology, the World Bank’s latest assessment of countries’ business climate remains of little relevance to poverty alleviation and may even end up promoting the wrong policy reforms, contends an analyst from the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad).
by Tiago Stichelmans

Trade deals sow seeds of injustice
A raft of existing and planned free trade agreements are entrenching corporate control of seeds. GRAIN, a non-profit group working to promote sustainable food systems, cautions that this seed privatization drive puts traditional farming practices at risk.

Water services flowing back into public hands
With privatization failing to deliver, more and more public authorities the world over are reclaiming control of water supply and sanitation services.
by Emanuele Lobina, Satoko Kishimoto and Olivier Petitjean

TTIP may lead to EU dis-integration, unemployment, instability
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a major trade pact now under negotiation by the US and the EU, is being touted on the basis of studies which predict net economic gains for all countries involved. However, these projections are derived from questionable assumptions and flawed models; a more realistic assessment finds that TTIP would lead to loss of income and employment in the EU, with few viable policy options available to counter the decline.
by Jeronim Capaldo