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A Critical Approach

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Conflicting Philosophies and International Trade Law

Part of the book series: Philosophy, Public Policy, and Transnational Law ((PPPTL))

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Abstract

In this chapter of the book ‘Conflicting Philosophies and International Trade Law—Worldviews and the WTO’, a proposal for reforming the SPS Agreement is developed. The proposed approach is inherently critical and advocates for contradictory procedures. The critical approach, as suggested, wants to stimulate scientific self-reflexivity and competition between contrasting scientific arguments. The proposed new approach towards the role of science in WTO law is considered preferable to a positivistic system enforcing ultimate ‘scientific truth’ by means of quasi-mandatory international standards, as well as preferable to a relativistic approach suggesting an ‘anything goes’ attitude in risk regulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of European and International Economic Law, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Michael Burkard

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  1. Michael Burkard
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Correspondence to Michael Burkard .

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Burkard, M. (2018). A Critical Approach. In: Conflicting Philosophies and International Trade Law. Philosophy, Public Policy, and Transnational Law. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61067-2_12

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