The cornerstone of the free trader globalist movement is the end of national sovereignty and identity. That is the effect we have witnessed and are still witnessing.
The was 100% in line with Marx’ goals.
Free traders espouse a laundry list of things the founders utterly opposed. And they hate things the founders enthusiastically used, such as tariffs.
“International free trade has indeed increased wealth inequality and reduced wages for the majority of Americans.”
It has absolutely not increased wealth inequality if you look at it globally. The wealth disparity between Americans and Europeans, Japanese, Koreans and Chinese used to be enormous. With the advent of globalization the disparity is much less today.
“[I]n general, the protective system of our day is conservative, while the free trade system is destructive. It breaks up old nationalities and pushes the antagonism of the proletariat and the bourgeoisie to the extreme point. In a word, the free trade system hastens the social revolution. It is in this revolutionary sense alone, gentlemen, that I vote in favor of free trade.”That quote from Marx, from his 1848 speech to the Democratic Association of Brussels, is certainly well known here.
Interesting but ALL factors should be examined. We soon forget how industrial unions helped push companies into the arms of globalization.
Also there is the issue of enlarging the state, especially under LBJ. Those on the top of the food chain, who are closet to government largess end up benefiting the most, while oncoming inflation ruins those at the bottom.
I would also blame inflationary monetary policy that was essentially concocted by Wall Street wizards hand in hand with the creation of the Federal Reserve. Those that benefited the most were those whose job was not to create anything, but only to move financial instruments around. Those connected to the investment banking and plain banking industry have benefited enormously while crushing the purchasing power of the average man.
Just oneexamples. Automobiles from 1970 to now have risen almost 9 times. Wages have risen 5 times.
Harrumph harrumph they’re obviously misunderstanding Marx, and free trade is really the true-blue conservative position, just because!