Free trade has always been a moral and political, as well as economic, programme. Although free traders call for the liberalization of the economy from governmental interference, it is understood that international exchange can only operate within a framework of the law. Defenders of free trade believe not only will it promote economic prosperity, but that it enhances worldwide peace and understanding by substituting commercial competition for the pursuit of national goals by military means. Protection, on the other hand, has been defended as safeguarding those vulnerable to the fluctuations of world markets. This collection of essays by international lawyers and moral philosophers arises from a prestigious multi-disciplinary conference to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. It examines legal, moral and political dimensions of free trade. Contributors explore issues such as: * the ethics and rules of competition * the idea of global justice * the problem of international exploitation * the protection of the environment * the regulation of services * international taxation and the justifications for the barriers to trade. This book provides an important insight into the continuing debates surrounding free trade. It is an important text for experts in the fields of economics, politics and law, as well as those with an interest in international trade.