LiegentFree Trade Doesn't Work
Is free trade truly the path to prosperity we've been led to believe? In this short that challenges economic orthodoxy, Ian Fletcher dismantles the 192-year-old theory of comparative advantage that still dominates trade policy debates. Fletcher exposes how free trade rests on seven dubious assumptions that rarely exist in the real world, while delivering minimal economic benefits that primarily flow to a select few. Fletcher systematically addresses common misconceptions about trade policy, examines the disconnect between theory and actual growth patterns, and scrutinizes how trade agreements serve corporate interests rather than citizens. Finally, he offers a solution that could intelligently protect vital industries without bureaucratic complexity. This short provides a fresh perspective on how nations can craft trade policies that genuinely serve their economic interests.
Ian Fletcher is an economist and trade policy expert who has served as Senior Economist at the Coalition for a Prosperous America. His economic analyses have challenged mainstream free trade orthodoxy by examining the gap between theoretical benefits and real-world outcomes. Fletcher's work has influenced policy discussions by highlighting flawed assumptions in comparative advantage theory and proposing alternative frameworks that prioritize national economic interests.
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