Cultural heritage in international economic law

Can cultural heritage be adequately protected vis-à-vis economic globalization? This book investigates whether and how international economic law governs cultural phenomena by mapping the relevant legal framework, discussing the relevant disputes concerning cultural elements adjudicated before international economic 'courts' (namely the World Trade Organization adjudicative bodies and investment treaty arbitral tribunals), and proposing legal methods to reconcile cultural and economic interests. It thus provides a comprehensive evaluation of possible solutions, including evolution of the law through treaty interpretation and reforms, to improve the balance between economic governance and cultural policy objectives

Can cultural heritage be adequately protected vis-à-vis economic globalization? This book investigates whether and how international economic law governs cultural phenomena by mapping the relevant legal framework, discussing the relevant disputes concerning cultural elements adjudicated before international economic 'courts' (namely the World Trade Organization adjudicative bodies and investment treaty arbitral tribunals), and proposing legal methods to reconcile cultural and economic interests. It thus provides a comprehensive evaluation of possible solutions, including evolution of the law through treaty interpretation and reforms, to improve the balance between economic governance and cultural policy objectives.

Can states adopt protectionist cultural policies? What are the limits, if any, to state intervention in cultural matters? A wide variety of cultural policies may interfere with foreign investments, and a tension therefore exists between the cultural policies of the host state and investment treaty provisions. In some cases, foreign investors have claimed that cultural policies have negatively affected their investments, thereby amounting to a breach of the relevant investment treaty. This study maps the relevant investor-state arbitrations concerning cultural elements and shows that arbitrators have increasingly taken cultural concerns into consideration in deciding cases brought before them, eventually contributing to the coalescence of general principles of law demanding the protection of cultural heritage.

"Can states adopt protectionist cultural policies? What are the limits, if any, to state intervention in cultural matters? A wide variety of cultural policies may interfere with foreign investments, and a tension therefore exists between the cultural policies of the host state and investment treaty provisions. In some cases, foreign investors have claimed that cultural policies have negatively affected their investments, thereby amounting to a breach of the relevant investment treaty. This study maps the relevant investor-state arbitrations concerning cultural elements and shows that arbitrators have increasingly taken cultural concerns into consideration in deciding cases brought before them, eventually contributing to the coalescence of general principles of law demanding the protection of cultural heritage"--