The Politics of International Trade

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The Politics of International Trade 1. The Important of Trade Trade has expanded in every epoch because societies have sought goods not readily available at home, and this expansion has produced many related results: 1. Technological flow, which contributes to the economic welfare of all peoples, 2. A demand or Keynesian effect on the economy that, through the operation of the “multiplier,” stimulates economic growth and the overall efficiency of the economy, 3. Benefits for individual firms as trade increases the size of the market, promotes economies of scale and increases the return on investment while also stimulating the overall level of economic activity in the economy as a whole, 4. Increased range of consumer choice, and 5. Reduction in the costs of inputs such as raw materials and manufactured components, which then lowers the overall cost of production. Trade is probably the oldest and most important economic nexus among nations. Trade has an impact on economic welfare, values, ideas and behavior of a society, and on international politics 1. Some (liberals) argue that trade increases world wealth, stimulates social progress, and promotes a harmony of interest among societies 2. Others (Marxists/nationalists) argue that trade imposes costs on some societies, leads to cultural imperialism, and makes states vulnerable to external developments Thus it leads to two different theories of international trade the liberal theory and the nationalist theory underlies these controversies. 2. The Liberal Theory of International Trade Liberal theory argues that international trade has beneficial effects on both the demand and the supply sides of the economy because a. Economic specialization produces gains in productive efficiency and national income. a. Trade enlarges consumption possibilities. Liberal theory also acknowledge that
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