Free Trade and Social Citizenship

Abstract

The article takes as its starting point the proliferation of regional free trade agreements, and the question is posed: whether increased economic integration in Central America may `spill over' in enhanced social citizenship rights? The question is triggered by the signing in 2004 of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The article explores the arguments concerning the development of CAFTA-DR and social citizenship, exemplified by labour rights. The article situates the making of CAFTA-DR in the context of historical attempts to promote regionalism. It reviews the arguments for and against free trade agreements in the USA and Central America and argues that there are tangible effects on social citizenship in particular relating to labour rights that can be credited to the signing of the agreement. The article concludes that CAFTA-DR has generated new possibilities for social citizenship in the region.