The current multilateral trade negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are approaching the moment of truth. The major gridlock among key players, such as Japan, the United States, the European Union and Brazil seems, however, difficult to be unlocked at the series of ministerial meetings in Geneva this week -- a widely perceived real deadline for a political breakthrough. This multilateral stalemate is not a new phenomenon. No international institution today is immune from criticism of its inability to make prompt decisions.

Along with ever growing cutting-edge international competition, a great degree of transparency brought about by an information revolution that enables people to know what their competitors are doing elsewhere spurs a country on to be a winner by advancing its interests in a way that reflects its distinct culture. The structure of the game is no longer as simple as "the developed nations vs. the Group of 77." One hundred and fifty WTO members assert themselves individually and collectively by forming different groupings, wherever they find common interests.

Furthermore, the present-day world is characterized by enormous diversity and complexity. Issues are so closely intertwined that no single policy goal can be achieved without being influenced -- in many cases adversely -- by other policies, and no single policy can be implemented without influencing -- also often adversely -- other policy goals. To protect and promote their own interests, experts have established cross-border networks with like-minded people -- multinational enterprises, scholars, nongovernmental organizations, and the like.