Comments on: Where Goods Do Not Cross Frontiers, Armies Will

By: mathew

mathew — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:26:51 +0000

i do agree with the view that trust possibly helps trade but to extrapolate it to incomes is pushing it a little isnt it… i would be rather skeptical about that though i dont have access to the original paper/ book where that conclusion was made.( pun intended? im not sure.) and reading the comments i would like to remind doggonetired that i agree with a lot he says. both about the economic and spiritual and individual freedom the that the US gives its citizens- as well as the ability to dream.but gitmo? is that freedom as well? but having freedom at home dosent give one the right to dictate how other people should live their lives. 2. the life expectancy in cuba is just one year shorter than the united states..( i know i m a doctor..!) billions freed … where? isnt that emotion ruling there ? i know the ground situation in india and people buy nestle milk powder for almost half their monthly salaries as its advertised as good… an egg costs ( used to cost about one percent of that) and is many times more nutiricious. so i umm tend to be slightly cynical of the freedom of trade without barriers. not all the decisions we make are right as you said. i agree. i also agree about being totally critical- but to deny mistakes – i dont know if thats viable either.

By: A Second Hand Conjecture » The Tidal Empires of War

A Second Hand Conjecture » The Tidal Empires of War — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:38:13 +0000

[...] itself can preclude war and that the interruption of it inaugurates or even necessitates conflict. Michael Shermer, who is also fond of Bastiat, argued a lengthier exposition on the same quote not long [...]

By: John

John — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:11:20 +0000

Of course we are all better off if we trade instead of fight. Specialization is more efficient and beneficial to the species so it would evolve to be part of our natures. Wars still occur however, not because of scarce resources, but because there will always be a minority that figures it is easier to steal the resources of others than to trade for them. Once hostility begins, it makes no sense to try to retaliate with free trade.

By: Old Prof

Old Prof — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:27:23 +0000

I agree with doggone tired, above. Poor Shermer. He apparently waited four years for a comment on his intelligent, complex article, and all he got was some fanatic trying to spin it against the USA and Theinternationaljewishconspiracy.
I am indebted to Shermer for his logic and thank him for the perfect line from nineteenth-century French economist Frederic Bastiat: “Where goods do not cross frontiers, armies will.” Surely, then, we’re wise to encourage the People’s Republic of China to keep trading with us, even though we must deplore their foreign policy. Trade will, as many claim, bring them slowly around; and in the meanwhile, prevent much worse.

By: doggone tired

doggone tired — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:06:44 +0000

We do! We believe in free trade, and human rights. It is not evil to protect our interests. We are not a perfect country,as you or I are not perfect individuals.
We have brought freedom to billions of people. Show me the billions Castro has freed. Show me the billions terrorists have freed. With every mistake you believe the United States is responsible for, look with as much enthusiasm to what aid, we have also proffered. Look with scrutiny at others of the same time period, and the norm of the day. Research both sides and try not to be jaded when enjoying our rights, and privs. provided by this country. Try to use less emotion and look at the whole picture. There are many immigrants who come to this country looking to escape their governments . Speak to new legal immigrants who have worked hard and prospered honestly. They have a whole different outlook on our great experiment. For every one person you find who speaks against this country, there are many more in favor. Look to the list just waiting to get in. Look to the millions sneaking in. We are not perfect but we don’t stop striving.
How fortunate I am. I have a roof over my head, food readily available, a life expectancy of over 85 years. By the way my poor grandmother of Eastport Maine will be 109 years this Feb 23, 2008. She raised 8 children in that poverty stricken town. From her my father was born, and with each generation prosperity has sprung forth. Try looking to what we do that is good and be part of the solution. Obviously you are doing well if you have the time, and means to read and respond to this article. Have a great day and rest of your life.

By: Jennifer Dawes

Jennifer Dawes — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:16:16 +0000

Would that the USA would understand this, and build its foreign policy around it, instead of inflicting devastation (economic or physical) on countries such as Nicaragua, Cuba, Palestine (through its client-state Israel), Iraq.