Drawing on a number of unique new datasets, the authors seek to explore in historical context the relationship between trade agreements and the flow of global trade, and to identify how governments and countries might unilaterally and collectively leverage trade agreements to increase trade and prosperity.

1. Introduction ; PART I. THE RISE OF TRADE AGREEMENTS ; 2. Tides of Trade Integration ; 3. Cooperating to Trade, Trading to Cooperate ; 4. Intricate Designs: The Architecture of Trade Agreements ; PART II. WHAT FUTURE FOR TRADE AGREEMENTS? ; 5. Disciplining Trade Agreements: Toward Multilateralization? ; 6. Managing the Spaghetti Bowl of Trade Agreements ; 7. Conclusion: Making More of Trade Agreements

Utilizes new, unique data sets to examine trade agreements and their impact on the flow of global trade Throughout material is linked to real-world situations and ongoing current affairs Interdisciplinary approach will appeal to those in the fields of economics, international relations, political science, and history

Antoni Estevadeordal is currently the Manager of Integration and Trade Sector at the Inter-American Development Bank. He has expertise in trade policy, economic integration and regional cooperation policies in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Europe, and has contributed to multiple Bank operations, in particular in the design of new programming instruments and financial products to support trade development and regional integration initiatives. Before joining the IDB he taught at the University of Barcelona and Harvard University and has published widely in major journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Barcelona. Kati Suominen has served since 2003 as International Trade Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, where she leads team research projects on global and preferential trade integration, and coordinates inter-institutional initiatives with other international institutions, including the World Trade Organization. She holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, San Diego and an MA in International Relations from Boston University.

Utilizes new, unique data sets to examine trade agreements and their impact on the flow of global trade Throughout material is linked to real-world situations and ongoing current affairs Interdisciplinary approach will appeal to those in the fields of economics, international relations, political science, and history