No man is an island, the saying goes. The radical individualists, no matter how capable, will ultimately reach their limits in certain circumstances until they do not recognize their interdependence on other human beings. This example is not unique only in the realm of interpersonal relations and individual struggles. As Chios Carmody in this chapter “Interdependence and WTO Law” in the book “The Reform of International Economic Governance” points out, the interdependence is also the core feature of relations between States and non-State actors in the fields of economy, international relations and law. Hence, the interdependence might be seen as one of the underlying characteristics of the dynamics in the modern world. Some fields, such as law, might have more difficulties than others in accepting the reality of interdependence. Law is to a large extent characterized by its atomization and fragmentation. Nevertheless, the importance of interdependence has been explicitly or implicitly repeatedly underscored in the field of international law. The WTO law might serve as an example of a field of law implicitly rather than explicitly recognizing the need and importance of interdependence in its treaties and jurisprudence. Member States of the WTO also realize that the actions in one country have often intended and sometimes even unintended consequences in other countries. The interdependence can be equally a blessing as well as a curse. The realization of its inevitability and importance is a first step to ensuring that the former will become a reality. As the knowledge is the mother of good decisions, Chios Carmody invites the readers to learn more about this topic in his chapter.
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