Emile Van Ommeren postdoc researcher FWO

Research Emile Van Ommeren

Research team

Food Security, Trade, and Political Cleavages in North Africa. 01/10/2025 - 30/09/2028

Abstract

This project aims to better understand the political economy of food security in North Africa. More specifically, I focus on the impact of agricultural trade policy reforms on distinct groups in society (classes, sectors, regions) and I seek to explain how this can give rise to political contestation and mobilization within countries. My approach contrasts sharply with the literature's exclusive focus on the aggregate effects of international trade on food security. Rather, I will offer a novel perspective on the (sub)national policy dilemmas that emerge when drafting agricultural trade policies. To this end, I employ a mixed-methods research design: first, I perform a statistical analysis of data on domestic food production, trade exposure, farmers' income, and regional protests; and second, I conduct in-depth case studies involving document analysis and spatial mapping to explore the interaction between agricultural trade policies and sociopolitical (in)stability in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. The project adopts an open collaboration initiative to engage with academics, sectoral representatives, and citizen groups active in (or connected to) North Africa, enhancing the research's relevance and impact. The findings will advance scientific and public debates on the tradeoffs involved in implementing and negotiating (inter)national agricultural trade policy reforms. 1406

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Project type(s)

  • Research Project

To Discriminate or Not to Discriminate? The Politics of Selective Trade Protection in the 21st Century. 01/11/2019 - 31/10/2023

Abstract

The principle of non-discrimination – the central pillar of the post-World War II trading system – has recently come under threat due to the increasing use of country-specific trade restrictions by members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). These measures significantly distort global trade flows and lead to an unequal distribution of the benefits of trade. It is, therefore, surprising that we know so little about what is driving the choice between discriminatory and non-discriminatory trade barriers. This research project aims to answer this eminently political question by investigating how contemporary trends in international trade (e.g. globalisation of production) affect the position of domestic firms and/or industries vis-à-vis (non)discrimination, and how these preferences translate into trade policies pursued by governments. Starting from an innovative conceptual framework, I derive several testable hypotheses that challenge the conventional wisdom in the literature on trade policy. Moreover, I propose a sequential mixed-methods explanatory design that comprises two stages. First, I will perform a regression analysis of data from seven key members of the WTO (1995-2015). Second, I will conduct eight in-depth case studies, involving document analysis and interviews with political and societal stakeholders.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project