A list of Definitly NOT Free Trade
Here are somethings I think might fall under the category of Fair trade, or probably more accurately “DEFINITLY NOT FREE TRADE.”
Minimum Wage. It’s too low still in my opinion, but it’s a big step towards human rights and away from the rule of the economic system. We have a minimum wage because we believe there is a certain pay the is dignified, below which is an oppressive payment.
The trouble is we don’t seem to care one iota about that carrying over to other countries.
Agriculture Subsidies. These aren’t fair, but the point is that they certainly aren’t “free.” The USA puts all kinds of restrictions on other countries and yet we subsidies our agriculture making it near impossible for outsiders to get in at a decent and fair price. The truth is that if we let the free market rule we would have NO farmers in the US because we couldn’t afford it. Our food supply would come from others, and they would be free to charge us what they would like for it as well.
Bankruptcy. This is a great element of Fair. In many countries a debt can be held and carried over to the children and grand children. Debt is a modern day slavery for many. The ability to declare bankruptcy and start again from zero is a commendable thing that are society has, but it’s certainly not Free Trade.
More on FAIR trade to come
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