QUOTE(njsue @ Sep 19 2004, 10:19 AM)
Just trying to complete my homework before the game starts.
Thanks to all who attempt to help me.
Question is:
Unions in developed countries often oppose imports from low wage countries and advocate trade barriers to protect jobs from what they often characterize as
"unfair" import competition.
Is such competition "unfair"
\Do you think this argument is in the best interests of the unions?
The people they represent?
the country as a whole?
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I believe unions oppose these because the countries (Malaysia, Thailand, etc.) can produce because of unrealistic standards of payment (and living) for workers. In the long run however, the standards should even out (the standards and wages and benefits of American workers decrease, while the standards of third world workers increase.) In theory it isn't unfair. On the other hand, those who manufacture and benefit from the "unfair" imports (China, etc) will be getting into the ownership class and that will probably even out as well. We will no longer have a third world (of a first world...too bad for us!) but will probably have a more equitable and fair world. We will suffer in the short term, but we will be on a more equal footing with the rest of the world in the end.
That assumes that others will allow free trade. Oil rich countries, or countries that own the basis of production (perhaps even the cheap labor force) may see nothing in it in having free trade with "twentieth century countries" (Russia, USA and others) and form their own trade conglomerates (European Union, GUAAM, OPEC) and cut us out. That wouldn't be nice. However not very nice things have happened in the past.