But these cries are not really for making trade free � they are for transferring power over trade to the executive branch and favored corporate interests. This should not be the way economic policy works in a democracy.

Special interest groups are a major factor in trade policy. They work primarily through Congress, with Senator Hollings a prime example, keeping textiles from devoloping countries out of our markets in order to protect his corporate constituents.

Discussion Question. Hollings equates strong Congressional scrutiny of trade agreements with a more democratic process. Is that reasonable?

Return to top

Blogging software: Powered by Movable Type 4.0-rc1.
Pictures of Bryan Caplan and Arnold Kling courtesy of the authors.
All opinions expressed on EconLog reflect those of the author or individual commenters, and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the Library of Economics and Liberty (Econlib) website or its owner, Liberty Fund, Inc.

The cuneiform inscription in the Liberty Fund logo is the earliest-known written appearance of the word "freedom" (amagi), or "liberty." It is taken from a clay document written about 2300 B.C. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash.

Contact Site Map Privacy and Legal http://www.econlib.org