Posted on 01/31/2010 6:42:57 PM PST by ianfletcher
This very readable book is aimed at both ordinary concerned citizens and people with a bit of sophistication about economics. It is a systematic examination of why free trade is slowly bleeding America's economy to death and what can be done about it. It explains in detail why the standard economic arguments free traders use all the time are false, and what kind of economic ideas — well within the grasp of the average American — justify protectionism instead. It examines the history and politics of free trade and explains how America came to adopt its present disastrous free trade policy. It looks at the breakdown of specific industries and how we can rebuild them and bring millions of high-paying jobs back to this country. It examines what's wrong with NAFTA, CAFTA, the WTO, and the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership. It explains why free trade is bad not just for America, but for poor foreign nations, too. It is sharply critical of the current establishment, but from a bipartisan point of view, so it should satisfy progressives, conservatives, and everyone in between. It is a good counterargument to the Thomas Friedman view of economic globalization. Read this book to get ahead of the curve on America's next big economic controversy.
If it strikes you that most of the arguments put forth for "free trade" are really just so much global- oney, you're right! Fletcher rips the mask from free trade myths, pointing out that economists in- creasingly reject the idea that our nation (or others) should base economic policy on such a du- bious proposition. This book is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to help raise common sense to high places. —Jim Hightower, Bestselling author, national radio and newspaper commentator, and editor of The Hightower Lowdown.
In Free Trade Doesn't Work, Ian Fletcher points to the ideal of ‘free trade’ and proclaims it isn’t wearing any clothes! Instead of following along with the crowd, Fletcher systematically presents the failures of an unrestrained trade system and offers up a balanced discussion of what a man- aged trade system could accomplish in its place. His discussion of the World Trade Organization’ s goals, and of China’s open defiance of the spirit of WTO rules, is refreshingly honest and timely. A direct move toward managed and open global trade is what America needs from its economic emperors, and this book is an important step in that direction. —Thomas S. Mullikin, author of Truck Stop Politics: Understanding the Emerging Force of Working Class America.
Ian Fletcher has convincingly dismantled the facade that for decades enticed U.S. cattle ranchers and their trade associations to support a free trade policy that was systematically destroying the economic integrity of their industry. A superb analysis of our nation’s misdirection. —Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America)
You have written a bible for us. It is brilliant! You even cover issues I have been concerned about but never had time to discuss with anyone else. I started by reading it and ended by studying it. Am now going through it for the second time underlining and highlighting. —Brian O’Shaughnessy, Chairman, Revere Copper Products; Co-Chair, Coalition for a Prosperous America
Ian Fletcher has laid out a powerful critique of so-called "free trade" theory, while also making the case for rethinking and reforming our current trade policies. Given the economic challenges we face in an increasingly treacherous global economy, this book provides essential tools and an- alysis for policymakers and activists. —John J. Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO and author of and author of America Needs a Raise: Fighting for Economic Security and Social Justice.
Drawing on the insights of a broad array of political persuasions, Ian Fletcher delivers a deva- stating and powerful indictment of free trade economics—one that should be widely read, not the least by economists themselves who’s work generally remains confined to their own narrow dis- cipline. I agree with Fletcher: "we can’t trust the economists."Free Trade Doesn't Work will spark some much-needed debate on what sort of political and economic policies we can trust. —Gavin Fridell, author of Fair Trade Coffee: the Prospects and Pitfalls of Market-Driven Social Justice, Assistant Professor of Politics at Trent University.
Like the Holy Grail, free trade is a concept that works in the classroom and in the minds of aca- demics and others insulated from the harsh realities of global trade in the real world. In the real world, we have managed trade. This ranges from the blind free trade faith of economists, edit- orial boards, and politicians to the mercantilist, protectionist, predatory trade practiced by some of our major global trading "partners" like China. This book is an excellent introduction to these realities and what can be done about them. Unregulated markets have driven the global eco- nomy over the cliff, and it is now vital for economists and policy-makers to consider alternative approaches to economic theory and policy. Ian Fletcher makes a powerful case for abandoning the simplistic mantra that markets generally maximize welfare and tariffs or regulations reduce economic prosperity. He points to more nuanced policies that avoid the extremes of blanket protectionism and unregulated trade. —Dan DiMicco, Chairman and CEO, Nucor Steel Corporation and author of Steeling America's Future: a CEO's Call to Arms.
Ian Fletcher bravely takes on the free-trade theorists who led cheers for the slow-motion disint- egration of American prosperity and he trumps them with facts and clear-eyed logic. If people will listen, Fletcher's informed voice will help turn the country toward a more promising future. —William Greider, author of Come Home, America: The Rise and Fall (and Redeeming Promise) of Our Country.
If the rest of your book is of this quality, you will have a classic that will be of use for many years... You are making a major contribution to thinking on trade policy. —Pat Choate, Running mate of Ross Perot in 1996 and author of Dangerous Business: The Risks of Globalization for America.
Rebuilding the American economy will require those in power to understand that what benefits workers, benefits the country. In Free Trade Doesn't Work, Ian Fletcher makes it clear that Amer- ica's nearly $6 trillion trade deficit accumulated since NAFTA took effect in 1994 benefits neither workers nor the nation. The book debunks the myth of free trade and proposes a responsible alternative that would restore a measure of sanity to America's international trade policy. —Leo W. Gerard, President, United Steelworkers.
Fletcher has written a powerful and refreshing critique of some cherished assumptions held by mainstream economists. It is uniformly insightful, often brilliant, and remarkably readable. Obama’s team should read it – and soon. —George C. Lodge, professor emeritus, Harvard Business School and author of Managing Globalization in the Age of Interdependence.
Most Americans live under the myth that "sound economics" says so-called "free trade" benefits all nations. Fletcher shows, in very readable prose, how the discipline is finally catching up with reality and common sense and is changing its mind on that matter. This book will be an essen- tial guide to the emerging debate over the wisdom of "free trade" as a sound policy for our nation. —Patrick A. Mulloy, Commissioner, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, former General Counsel, Senate Banking Committee.
A trenchant and comprehensive analysis of the gap between the theory of free trade and reality, together with a revealing description of the weaknesses of the theory itself. —Ralph Gomory, Research Professor, Stern School of Business, New York University and author of Global Trade and Conflicting National Interests.
In this sophisticated, well-informed, and comprehensive study, Ian Fletcher provides a very pow- erful, passionate, and convincing critique of free trade in an accessible and engaging manner. Read it. —Ha-Joon Chang, University of Cambridge, author of Kicking away the Ladder and Bad Samaritans.
Trading Up is an excellent guide to the economic realities obscured by the intellectually hollow promotion of ‘free trade’. It is up-to-date, comprehensive and very readable. —Jeff Faux, Distinguished Fellow, Economic Policy Institute and author of The Global Class War: How America’s Bipartisan Elite Lost Our Future - and What It Will Take to Win It Back.
A superb debunking of the arguments for free trade and a thoughtful examination of the alterna- tives. Fletcher’s book is required reading for policy-makers and for the general public trying to understand how the United States has fallen into a debt trap and what has to be done to escape it. The book is also a lesson in how governments can sometimes convince citizens to support policies that work against them. —Richard H. Robbins. Author of Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, and Global- ization and the Environment; Distinguished Teaching Professor at Plattsburgh State University.
Free Trade Doesn't Work offers a satisfying critique of the flaws of free trade economics, and the damage that related policies have caused to the US economy and beyond. Its arguments are tools with which to break the hold of the current free trade consensus over our politicians, and to work towards truly fair trade and economic policies. —Stephanie Celt, Director, Washington Fair Trade Coalition
Recently, Paul Samuelson, the godfather of modern economics, called the economic orthodoxy pushing free trade "charlatans." After reading Free Trade Doesn't Work you will know why he did. Ian Fletcher exposes the lies about free trade and a offers an easy to understand roadmap to economic reality. —Bob Baugh, Executive Director, AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council
Ian Fletcher’s argument against free trade and in favor of tariffs is not only a courageous assault on our so-called conventional wisdom, it makes a brilliant and wildly compelling case for reg- ulation. The book is an impressive piece of scholarship, one that could and should provide the blueprint for government intervention in commerce. Economists will stand up and take notice. Wall Street will hate it. —David Macaray, author, It’s Never Been Easy: Essays on Modern Labor
This readable book dramatizes our lost history of global trade and punctures the mythology surr- ounding the benefits of unbridled free trade. A vital primer for anyone trying to understand the current trade debate. —Chuck Collins, Institute for Policy Studies; co-author, The Moral Measure of the Economy
Unregulated markets have driven the global economy over the cliff, and it is now vital for econo- mists and policymakers to consider alternative approaches to economic theory and policy. Ian Fletcher makes a powerful case for abandoning the simplistic mantra that markets generally maximize welfare and tariffs or regulations reduce economic prosperity. He points to more nu- anced policies that avoid the extremes of blanket protectionism and unregulated trade. —Prof. Geoffrey Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press.
Ian Fletcher’s book is of immense value in defining the parameters of the idolatry of free trade. Politicians and the general populace continue to be afraid to abandon this false god because of the kind of superstitions and inaccuracies that this book exposes very well. I would highly recom- mend it.
One of the positive reviewers of the book is Dan DiMicco, CEO of Nucor steel. Nucor is nonuion and very successful.
Yes military equipment, and everything else for that matter, is complex. Do you know where every screw, circuit and wire in your computer comes from? Of course not.
By the same token it’s an issue that can be handled. Iraq had a huge lead up, we could have bought extras or in sourced. The problems we ran into were a matter of not thinking through the logistics, that kind of failure doesn’t really get any better without free trade.
Thanks for posting this. If this name:
“Jim Hightower, Bestselling author, national radio and newspaper commentator, and editor of The Hightower Lowdown.”
does not bring all Freepers to see the light on the great benefits of free trade, I am not sure what will.
As to these names:
“Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America)
Brian O’Shaughnessy, Chairman, Revere Copper Products; Co-Chair, Coalition for a Prosperous America
John J. Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO and author of and author of America Needs a Raise: Fighting for Economic Security and Social Justice.
Gavin Fridell, author of Fair Trade Coffee: the Prospects and Pitfalls of Market-Driven Social Justice, Assistant Professor of Politics at Trent University.
Dan DiMicco, Chairman and CEO, Nucor Steel Corporation and author of Steeling America’s Future: a CEO’s Call to Arms.
Pat Choate, Running mate of Ross Perot in 1996 and author of Dangerous Business: The Risks of Globalization for America.
Leo W. Gerard, President, United Steelworkers.
Bob Baugh, Executive Director, AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council “
Freepers need to know you want them on the same side as Unions and Big Business. And what was it Adam Smith pointed out about owner getting together... Oh wait you Adam Smith is no one to you, you go with Union bosses, right? You imagine that when workers and bosses agree on something like protection it is necessarily good for consumer or the rest of us right?
And then there are the loons. I have kept a couple of examples:
“Gavin Fridell, author of Fair Trade Coffee: the Prospects and Pitfalls of Market-Driven Social Justice, Assistant Professor of Politics at Trent University.
Pat Choate, Running mate of Ross Perot in 1996 and author of Dangerous Business: The Risks of Globalization for America.”
certainly all Freepers want to side with Social Justice guys and Perotistas. Too bad they did not go for the big guns and get Obama and Osama to endorse this book. They are both against Free Trade too and I know all Freepers know they are the side they want to be on.
Again thanks for posting this. With endorsements like this book has, perhaps we can get all Freepers on the side of FREEDOM on this issue as in freedom to trade with whomever you think will benefit you the most.
Yeah. There was no industrial revolution before the forties. My grandfather, who was a petrolium engineer in the thirties was just hoping it would turn into a career someday, no doubt.
We know this is a lie. Compare the Chinese now to the 1970s starving.
Do you always sound like Brezhnev's "Pravda" or only today?
You may have failed to have noticed that the some corporations, namely British colonies on this continent, "took over" the British "political system." You find this corporate action contemptible?
What's more troubling is that you speak like all commies: no reasoning, no arguments, just overreaching statements about complex phenomena as if they were trivial. Silly. And leftist. You do sound like Willie Green who cannot find anything positive about the free-market system.
What ever happened to Fair Trade?
I didn’t say that. Try sticking with what was actually said.
Same old claptrap. But hey, if you’re lucky Obama will manage to start a trade war with china and some other countries and we’ll see the wonderful effects of it on our economy and our country’s future.
Free trade with most of Asia has been an unmitigated disaster.
***************************************************
Not only are we forced to compete with companies that operate cheaper and get their raw materials more cheaply than we do because of a lack of environmental regulations but our intellectual property is stolen wholesale or security features are reverse engineered inviting piracy to flourish.
Our companies are taxed to death ... Our costs are way out of whack due to environmental regs and the legal profession ... our patents are ignored , products copied and the incentive to create in software or engineering is beaten out of us with the knowledge that H1-B’s are there to put you out of work the minute you gain enough experience to merit higher pay.
if
The supposedly former navy nitwit was basing his argument on “if”
” no reasoning, no arguments, just overreaching statements about complex phenomena as if they were trivial.”
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!! Typical free trader.
You are claiming that we need to protect the US steel industry SOLELY in the name of national security. If we protect these industries, how will the unions help with your national security goals?
Thank you for that excellent description.
We are plunging headlong as a nation, to ruin.
And the brainwashed “free traders” will be shouting “go go go” right to the moment we crash into the ground
We are making our future enemies richer, more capable, more powerful and more industrial.
We are making America poorer, less capable, weaker and dependent upon people who hate us.
Wake up people.
How did I cut and paste it then. The US had ceased being an agrarian society by the roaring twenties.
Your basic premise is flawed. We do not and cannot have free trade. We have a collection of very complex trade agreements along with international groups that resolve disputes about the agreements. The agreements have many flaws and countries try to gain competitive advantage in various ways. The US plays heavy with trade agreements so the situation is not so asymmetric.
I do not believe that the trade agreements are the fundamental problem. The fundamental problem is our growing lack of competitiveness. Unions, trial lawyers, and environmentalists along with rat political control has eroded our competitive level. If unions had their way about trade agreements, the price of goods and services would increase substantially and the quality would decrease. In just one year, the rats have dropped a debt on us that we may never recover.
See here’s what I said: we were still mostly an agrarian society
And then here’s what you said: There was no industrial revolution before the forties.
Notice the rather large difference between mostly agrarian and no industrial revolution. See what you did is twisted what I said into something else to pretend you actually have a point, and you structured it into an insult, which proves you don’t.
How would anyone know this? Very few, and the good ole USA is certainly not among them, have attempted it in any of our lifetimes!
Yes. If there is war.
Walter williams based his response on peace as a given.
You can, of course choose which nit wittery you wish to allign with. Tell me how does this always peace on earth thing come about?
In all my years in the military, I never learned how you could have peace and prosperity without the strength to defend it through force of arms.
You can sometimes have peace without strength for a little while if you are a little impoverished hell hole nobody would want.
Your screen name is certainly indicative of the substance of your reasoning.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.