The meaning of everything: the origin and evolution of the GATT and the WTO Analytical Index

The first edition of the Analytical Index was published in February 1953 with the title 'Analytical Index of the General Agreement'. It was 'intended to throw light on the drafting of the provisions of the General Agreement and to serve as a guide to their interpretation'. It was 114 pages long, and most of the material contained therein concerned the drafting history of the thirty-five articles of the GATT. This chapter briefly reviews the origin and evolution of the Analytical Index, and then highlights how the evolution of the Analytical Index reflects some aspects of the historical evolution of GATT and WTO law over time.