In The News

No Wonder Anti-Free Traders Are Angry

Gregory Clark November 16, 2005
The gospel of free trade has the potential to unfairly restrict the opportunities of developing nations to industrialize. A prevailing view is that workers in developing nations do not have the capacity for sophisticated industry and should focus on producing simple farm and other labor-intensive products for export. Another line of reasoning suggests that unquestioned support for free trade is...

Why the French Love Their Farmers

Philip H. Gordon November 15, 2005
French President Jacques Chirac has admitted to a "profound malaise" in the country that led to the recent rioting, but French policy on farm subsidy is emerging as another source of malaise within the European Community. Policymakers all over the world are calling for great reductions in EU farm subsidies, since such reform would help stave off budgetary crisis as well as bring EU...

Fox’s Performance Leaves Many Puzzled

Kelly Arthur Garrett November 15, 2005
Having failed to persuade other American leaders to move towards a pan-hemispheric free trade pact, Mexican President Vicente Fox now faces a political firestorm at home. Fox’s support for the Bush Administration’s free-trade stance has led to charges that he is an entreguista (a stooge or turncoat)—charges surely inflamed when Fox criticized the president of Argentina for “obeying Argentine...

Dark Clouds over Doha

November 11, 2005
It has been four difficult years since the Doha Round of free trade talks began in 2001. The proponents of free trade now find themselves in retreat across the world. The Bush Administration has stuck to its free-trade guns, but finds itself increasingly unable to deal with a protectionist electorate and hamstrung by the President's lack of "fast track" trade negotiation...

Anti-Capitalist A-Team

Bridget Johnson November 11, 2005
A columnist takes on the anti-globalization protestors and points to their self-defeating tactics. At the recent Summit of the Americas they were out in full force, uniting anti-globalization and anti-Bush sentiment in one potent combination and creating chaos. Their premise, that free trade is “pro-corporation,” and hurts “mom-and-pop businesses,” is belied by their tactics, which target...

Protecting Ideas is Crucial for U.S. Business

Alan Murray November 10, 2005
Regulating copycat products and services internationally may become the capitalist struggle of the 21th century. Brands, patents, and copyrights fuel a large portion of the international economy. Intellectual property in the United States has become a $5 trillion industry. As access to information and products becomes simpler and ever more rapid, idea theft has become a costly proposition. The...

Trade Not Aid is the Key to Development

Mustapha Nabli November 10, 2005
Success at the Doha Round of world trade talks would be a major step towards reducing poverty in developing countries. Looking back over the last four decades and focusing on East Asia and China, where trade has been instrumental in surmounting poverty, it is obvious that trade, not aid, is responsible for successful development. The opportunity of the Doha Round is crucial for the Middle East...