The World Trade Organization is one of the most important yet least understood organizations in the world. As a lynchpin of globalization, the WTO allows us to enjoy products and services from around the world, but it also lays bare the frailty of many industries, in some cases leading to unemployment and even threatening social cohesion.

In this beginner's guide, Dr. David Collins explores the goals of the WTO and how these have created difficulties for its member countries as they adapt to the pressures of globalization. With high-profile case studies straight from the headlines and...