Protectionism Vs Free Trade (Historically)

[Kidlicious]

If this is true, and I think it is. It's also true that globalization could reverse, because the US is becoming the loser in free trade.

[Bereta_Eder]

I simply pointed out the best way to understand reality in this current question. I didn't mean "embrace it"

[Kidlicious]

There's no world but the real world for me.

[Bereta_Eder]

For all of us. However realities can be changed, assuming we have understood them

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by paiktis22
For all of us. However realities can be changed, assuming we have understood them

As John Miller has stated though, each nation acts in its own national interest, not in an international interest. That is the reality. How can we change that.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Kidicious


As John Miller has stated though, each nation acts in its own national interest, not in an international interest. That is the reality. How can we change that.

I'm sure there are ways if we put our heads to work on it. For the cynics a simple realization that the well being of others is your own well being and there are unfortunately concrete facts for that would perhaps sway them. But ultimately I'm sure there are ways. The first step is to actually understand what the heck is going on.

[Jon Miller]

why should my country act in a way that is not for my (and my fellow citizens) best interest?

if it did not act in my best interest, it would be a pretty ****ty country and I would leave

I agreed to take part in this whole nation thing because it acts in my (and my fellow citizens) best interest

it would be pretty sucky to me, if my country did otherwise (and as I said, it would quit being my country)

Jon Miller

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by paiktis22


I'm sure there are ways if we put our heads to work on it. For the cynics a simple realization that the well being of others is your own well being and there are unfortunately concrete facts for that would perhaps sway them. But ultimately I'm sure there are ways. The first step is to actually understand what the heck is going on.

But if anything has been demostrated by this thread it is that no nation has ever acted in such a way. The only nations who have advocated free trade are those who gain a net benefit from it, and even those have practiced protectionism in industries that they don't have a comparative advantage in.

A better way for everyone can only become reality after the current power structure is completely destroyed.

[Bereta_Eder]

Jon Miller,
Don't know. Perhaps it's not acting in your and your fellow citizens interests. Not only yours of course. Anyway some things are better left to be realized I think, if they are meant to be.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Kidicious


But if anything has been demostrated by this thread it is that no nation has ever acted in such a way. The only nations who have advocated free trade are those who gain a net benefit from it, and even those have practiced protectionism in industries that they don't have a comparative advantage in.

A better way for everyone can only become reality after the current power structure is completely destroyed.

I'm not so sure about that. Free markets, or better, regulated free markets (yes there is no contradiction in that) have proven to be able to bring the food to the table so to speak. So there are some good points that can be kept. But I think that a lot of other things would "have" to be changed.

[Jon Miller]

I agree that my nation does not always act in my nor my fellow citizens best interest

one of the ways that they do so is by listening to people like you and kid (the biggest way, of course, is when they listen to multinationals and corporations)

I mean, it is like if I said that there were poor people startving in DC, so people in greece should ahve 100% tax increase to pay to feed the startving people in DC

Jon Miller

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by paiktis22


I'm not so sure about that. Free markets, or better, regulated free markets (yes there is no contradiction in that) have proven to be able to bring the food to the table so to speak. So there are some good points that can be kept. But I think that a lot of other things would "have" to be changed.

Of course food should be exported to Africa and such, but I'm talking about the expoitive nature and inefficiencies of the system that are cause by greed.

[Bereta_Eder]

Kidicious,
I'm talking about the free markets ability to spur up production. The case where this can has been done without free markets inflicting a new kind of poverty to the non haves is manifested in many countries which have regulated free markets. So I wouldn't advocate the eradication of the regulated free markets since they have proven to be a system which "provides the food on the table" = has results in productivity without condemning large portions of society to this new kind of poverty (like people without national medical care all the way down to the homeless)
As for the people starving in one place and taxes being increased in another that's a part of an idea on the right track IMO but obvisouly of course is not all inclusive and is neither the beggining or end of anything. But a radical way by which "nations" define their interests is "needed". It can happen or not, with all the consequences this entails. Obviously time will show.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by paiktis22
Kidicious,
I'm talking about the free markets ability to spur up production. The case where this can be done without free markets inflicting a new kind of poverty to the non haves is manifested in many countries with regulated free markets. So I wouldn't advocate the eradication of the regulated free markets since they have proven to be a system which "provides the food on the table" = has results in productivity withotu condemning large portions of society to this new kind of poverty.

How are the markets suppose to be regulated efficiently when self-interest is involved?

[Bereta_Eder]

There are many cases in many many countries where this is the case. Where you simply "harvest" the dynamism of self interest but don't let it rule you or your country. Or at least that's what sought and in many cases accomplished. However this is only the very very beggining IMO.