Bureaucratic Politics and Economic Policy: The Evolution of Trade Policy in the 1970s & 1980s

Abstract

Trade Policy has since 1987 been driven by the 'multilateralist' thrust, centred on the Australian Government's active position taken at the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. The bureaucratic politics which lead to this emphasis are of major importance to economists, not least because the returns from the multilateralist initiative, seemingly bounteous following the December 1993 accord, appear more questionable with the passage of time. This paper examines the culture of the Department of Trade, and its diminishing influence within Canberra's policy hierarchy until its abolition in 1987. Of particular importance are various components of a dissident bilateralist thrust. The arguments of the bilateralist position and the forces which lead to its emasculation will be addressed.