The question of free trade---the degree to which the government should regulate business activities that cross national borders---is a contentious social issue that makes for fierce economic and moral arguments.
History
Free trade is an umbrella term for an economic model marked by the freedom of private enterprise to transact business across borders with a minimum of governmental regulation. In general, trade has become increasingly free, with traditional import duties and tariffs being gradually reduced or eliminated over the past three centuries. Today, many countries have signed various free-trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Arguments in Favor
The most common argument in favor of free trade is that it permits the market to most efficiently price goods and services on the largest possible scale. As governmental barriers to trade---such as taxes, tariffs and regulations---are lifted, proponents say the cost of providing a service or producing a product will decrease, and this lower price would be a net good for society. In general, large-scale production is more efficient than small-scale production and leads to greater profits, which drive further efficiencies, including more advanced technology.
Some political scientists say free trade improves national security by making nations so economically interdependent that armed conflict becomes an increasingly remote possibility.
Furthermore, some say that the right to labor includes the right to engage in some degree of market capitalism that includes trading with the partners of one's choice, irrespective of national borders. As individual entrepreneurs pursue their own self-interest, they accumulate capital that can be used to subsidize the arts and culture within their communities.
Arguments Against
Opponents of free trade argue that the economic benefits of trade are outweighed by the hidden costs. For example, free trade tends to promote the formation of large business enterprises such as multinational corporations that accumulate profit at the expense of local, smaller enterprises. In addition, foreign capital can cut off young industries from blooming in developing economies, fostering a dependency on foreign businesses and potentially undermining the competitiveness of local firms.
Additionally, some say that free trade undermines cultural diversity and can make some economies dependent on others. For example, a small country that has abundant resources of a desired mineral is likely to develop a local economy based on the harvesting of that mineral, so when the need for that mineral evaporates or market conditions change, the entire local economy could be imperiled--perhaps even to the point of collapse.
Finally, some security experts suggest that fair-trade practices that lead to unequal outcomes among states can help destabilize growing economies and increase the risk of violence in areas with a weaker history of effective governance.
Future of the Debate
Economic globalization and concerns about climate change have prompted some criticism of the generally free trade practiced by the United States and some Asian economies. Events that forced a systemic shock to the global economy, including the recession that began in late 2008, had a cascading effect felt around the world---effects that might have been reduced if stronger barriers to trade were in place. The question of whether the benefits of free trade outweigh the risks is unlikely to be settled soon.
Expert Insight
Because free trade is a complex issue, experts offer arguments based on their field of expertise. Economists tend to offer economic arguments, political scientists offer sociopolitical arguments and a growing number of activists offer moral arguments based on the perceived inequalities of free trade as experienced in developing nations. For that reason, a balanced understanding of the issues about free trade requires the understanding of these multiple perspectives about the topic.
Tags: free trade, arguments based, local economy, moral arguments, political scientists