Truck and barter

Marcus has posted a comment-box discussion between me and him on the merits of free trade vs. protectionism. As I said over there, I’m still agnostic on the matter.

One thing that confuses the issue, as I’ve mentioned before, is that “free” trade agreements are often elborate schemes of government-managed trade. For an example of the “purist” free trader argument against such agreements see here.

Marcus also directs our attention to this article by theologian John Cobb, Jr., which looks interesting.