| Title: | From WTO-centered governance to a layered trade architecture : functional allocation across institutional venues, 2000–2025 |
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| Authors: | ID Logožar, Klavdij (Author) |
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| Files: |  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/14/8/340
 RAZ_Logozar_Klavdij_2026.pdf (3,75 MB)
MD5: 44ED5810A847063E794AFE0D338E3349
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Scientific work |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | EPF - Faculty of Business and Economics
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| Abstract: | Global trade governance is being reshaped as multilateral rulemaking and dispute settlement face persistent constraints. However, it remains unclear whether this development signals institutional decline or a layered allocation of governance functions across interconnected venues. This study develops a functional-allocation framework and examines rulemaking, enforcement, and coordination across the World Trade Organization (WTO), WTO-linked mechanisms, and regional trade agreements (RTAs). The framework distinguishes directly observable functional allocation from functional reallocation as a process-oriented interpretation of institutional change. The analysis combines a mapping of 282 RTA governance events entering into force between 2000 and 2025 with treaty content and institutional design data and a structured comparison of WTO core agreements, differentiated arrangements, enforcement supplements, and plurilateral initiatives. The findings identify a layered trade architecture rather than a simple shift away from the WTO. The WTO retains selected multilateral functions, differentiated arrangements sustain selective cooperation within its framework, and WTO-linked mechanisms supplement constrained appellate enforcement. RTAs provide additional venues for rulemaking, enforcement, and coordination. Among directly classified RTA events, formal adjudication increased from 76.0% in 2000–2004 to 100.0% in 2020–2025. Formal adjudication and institutionalized coordination are also positively associated with core substantive treaty depth. These patterns are consistent with functional allocation across a layered architecture, but do not establish that WTO constraints caused the observed institutional configurations. |
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| Keywords: | functional allocation, layered trade architecture, global trade governance, World Trade Organization, regional trade agreements, institutional differentiation |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 26.06.2026 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 11.08.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 12.08.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-37 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 14, no. 8, spec. iss., [art. no.] 340 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-99350  |
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| UDC: | 339.54:061.1 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2227-7099 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 287731715 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/economies14080340 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 13.08.2026 |
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| Views: | 292 |
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| Downloads: | 7 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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