 |
|||||
|
Shadow Government
The cheapest goods
by John A. Jackson
Trade issues are not likely to be much debated this year, and that's a shame.
Every major political candidate and the lion's share of the small fry all endorse what is known as "free trade."
Nothing is ever really free, of course. In this case, the adjective means trade conducted with the least possible interference by national governments. Within the system of international trade, special deals and favors, even subsidies and cartels occur all the time. But the crucial factor, for the "free" trader, is that the nation states not interfere, or tax or prohibit. Above all, the flow of money is to be "free."
If money is left to seek its own level-that is, if prices are allowed to set themselves-then, the free trade politician believes or his patrons believe, that the profits will naturally flow to them. Nor is that the only benefit.
The great secret about "free trade," indeed, the chief factor behind U.S. economic policy-a truth that may only be worshipped but never discussed-is that every other consideration will be sacrificed ruthlessly to keep consumer prices down.
The system relies on hundreds of millions, and now billions, of consumers trapped in a delirium of buying, borrowing, wearing out and buying more. Any action that inhibits that frenzy threatens the whole house of cards. Touch "free trade" in any serious way and you threaten the cheapness of goods-and that sends shivers of terror throughout every marketplace.
But are the unimpeded flows of money and trade goods the sole values to be found in an economic system? And if they are not, why can't our political system even talk about the other things an economy may be supposed to do?
I know these questions sound a lot more confusing than whether John McCain will upset George W. Bush in the South Carolina primary. Less interesting, too. But they needn't be.
Let me take an example. Let's say I buy clothing for a department store to sell. Other things being equal, and there sure is no guarantee my taste in clothing will be better than the rival buyers', I'll try to win my customers with attractive prices.
That is the style of the age, of Wal-Mart and the other big box retailers.
But I will not do anything and everything to achieve the lowest possible prices. I will not, for instance, buy goods I know to have been made by slaves. Nor by political prisoners or convicts. Moreover, I will not willingly buy goods produced at the cost of environmental ruin or under conditions that sicken or maim their producers. Nor will I buy goods wrung out of the hopes of children.
No bargain is worth my doing any of those things. And what about you? How would you feel typing at a keyboard that a slave made? Wearing clothes that dying children sewed?
But how are you to know about, let alone avoid these things? Your government is supposed to do that for you. Your government. Your government.
Only let's not talk about that this year. Let's do our bit to keep prices down and the money flowing. We are not slaves, after all. Not exactly.ER