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Are Private Remedies In Domestic Courts Essential For International Trade Agreements To Perform Constitutional Functions With Respect To Sub-Federal Governments?, Matt Schaefer

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

The term constitutionalism is increasingly discussed in the context of international trade agreements. A prominent example is Professor Petersmann's writings on the constitutional functions that trade agree- ments could serve by limiting governmental discretion to take welfare- reducing protectionist measures against the long-term interests of a nation and contrary to individual economic liberty.' The absence of such protectionist constraints and foreign trade rights in domestic con- stitutions can be mitigated (and already is mitigated somewhat) through the development of international trade rules and institutions.