Cutting the Gordian knot of economic reform: when and how international institutions help

Introduction -- When and how international institutions promote economic reform -- Preferential trading agreements as helpful international institutions -- Design of preferential trading agreements -- Formation of preferential trading agreements -- Economic reform and preferential trading agreements -- Explaining economic reform in Croatia and South Africa -- Agreements and reforms without democratization: Chile and Columbia -- Conclusion.

During the past two decades, governments across the developing world have implemented many liberal economic reforms. 'Cutting the Gordian Knot of Economic Reform' shows that international institutions - formal agreements that govern policy formation in member states - made possible some of the most important reforms in developing countries

During the past two decades, governments across the developing world have implemented many liberal economic reforms. Cutting the Gordian Knot of Economic Reform shows that international institutions -- formal agreements that govern policy formation in member states -- made possible some of the most important reforms in developing countries. It takes a comparative look at developing countries that have engaged in preferential trading agreements with the United States and European Union to develop a theory of when and how leaders enter into international institutions to effect economic reform.