Shadow negotiators: how UN organizations shape the rules of world trade for food security.

In "Shadow negotiators: how UN organizations shape the rules of world trade for food security," Matias Margulis explores how United Nations institutions have influenced the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address concerns about food insecurity. Margulis argues that international organizations (IOs) play an active role in trade negotiations, independently acting to protect food-vulnerable actors. The author identifies four intervention strategies used by IOs, including mobilizing states, publicly shaming states, invoking alternative legal frameworks, and taking sides in negotiations. The book provides empirical evidence of IO interventions in WTO negotiations, highlighting the successes of organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in influencing outcomes. While the extent of the impact of UN interventions on food security remains to be studied, the book challenges the perception of IOs as passive actors and emphasizes their role in global governance. [Extracted from the article]