Research and Publications

Grounded in the strong University of California research tradition, our projects encompass a range of topics that reflect our mission and research objectives at the Center for Commerce and Diplomacy.

Research Summarized

Designing an International Economic Order: A Research Agenda
CCD Director Renee Bowen and CCD Associate Director J. Lawrence Broz identify the current threats facing international organizations, discuss solutions to address these threats, and highlight methods of leadership for building a broad base of support in these institutions. 

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How to make redistribution better: Could universal basic incomes help?
CCD Affiliate Paul Niehaus and co-authors address the question "How to make redistribution better: Could universal basic incomes help?"

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Research Projects Underway

The World Trade Organization and the 2016 U.S. presidential election
Renee Bowen and Lawrence Broz are collaborating with UC San Diego trade economist Marc Muendler and Ph.D. student Bertrand Wilden to explore the impact of the World Trade Organization and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Their motivation is to understand why the current U.S. administration has taken actions that have rendered the WTO’s Appellate Body inoperable. Preliminary results suggest that part of the answer is that Appellate Body decisions have disproportionately affected U.S. industries located in industrial swing states. We find that Donald Trump received more support in counties with higher shares of employment in industries that were adversely affected by WTO Appellate Body decisions, other factors considered. This research is important because it connects the actions of an international organization to domestic election outcomes for the very first time. We expect to complete a first draft in Summer 2020.