Sophisms of the Protectionists

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Sophisms of the Protectionists by Frédéric Bastiat, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Frédéric Bastiat ISBN: 9781465590367
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Frédéric Bastiat
ISBN: 9781465590367
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

My object in this little volume has been to refute some of the arguments usually advanced against Free Trade. I am not seeking a combat with the protectionists. I merely advance a principle which I am anxious to present clearly to the minds of sincere men, who hesitate because they doubt. I am not of the number of those who maintain that protection is supported by interests. I believe that it is founded upon errors, or, if you will, upon incomplete truths. Too many fear free trade, for this apprehension to be other than sincere. My aspirations are perhaps high; but I confess that it would give me pleasure to hope that this little work might become, as it were, a manual for such men as may be called upon to decide between the two principles. When one has not made oneself perfectly familiar with the doctrines of free trade, the sophisms of protection perpetually return to the mind under one form or another; and, on each occasion, in order to counteract their effect, it is necessary to enter into a long and laborious analysis. Few, and least of all legislators, have leisure for this labor, which I would, on this account, wish to present clearly drawn up to their hand. But it may be said, are then the benefits of free trade so hidden as to be perceptible only to economists by profession? Yes; we confess it; our adversaries in the discussion have a signal advantage over us. They can, in a few words, present an incomplete truth; which, for us to show that it is incomplete, renders necessary long and uninteresting dissertations. This results from the fact that protection accumulates upon a single point the good which it effects, while the evil inflicted is infused throughout the mass. The one strikes the eye at a first glance, while the other becomes perceptible only to close investigation. With regard to free trade, precisely the reverse is the case.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

My object in this little volume has been to refute some of the arguments usually advanced against Free Trade. I am not seeking a combat with the protectionists. I merely advance a principle which I am anxious to present clearly to the minds of sincere men, who hesitate because they doubt. I am not of the number of those who maintain that protection is supported by interests. I believe that it is founded upon errors, or, if you will, upon incomplete truths. Too many fear free trade, for this apprehension to be other than sincere. My aspirations are perhaps high; but I confess that it would give me pleasure to hope that this little work might become, as it were, a manual for such men as may be called upon to decide between the two principles. When one has not made oneself perfectly familiar with the doctrines of free trade, the sophisms of protection perpetually return to the mind under one form or another; and, on each occasion, in order to counteract their effect, it is necessary to enter into a long and laborious analysis. Few, and least of all legislators, have leisure for this labor, which I would, on this account, wish to present clearly drawn up to their hand. But it may be said, are then the benefits of free trade so hidden as to be perceptible only to economists by profession? Yes; we confess it; our adversaries in the discussion have a signal advantage over us. They can, in a few words, present an incomplete truth; which, for us to show that it is incomplete, renders necessary long and uninteresting dissertations. This results from the fact that protection accumulates upon a single point the good which it effects, while the evil inflicted is infused throughout the mass. The one strikes the eye at a first glance, while the other becomes perceptible only to close investigation. With regard to free trade, precisely the reverse is the case.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book The Wizard's Son (Complete) by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Our Little Roumanian Cousin by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book The Boy With the U. S. Life-Savers by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Truth of A Hopi by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Vacation With the Tucker Twins by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book What Led To The Discovery of the Source of The Nile by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book A Journey in Southern Siberia: The Mongols, Their Religion and Their Myths by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book The Quiet Heart by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book The Worship of The Generative Powers by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Hydesville: The Story of the Rochester Knockings, Which Proclaimed the Advent of Modern Spiritualism by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Die Laune des Verliebten: Ein Schäferspiel in Versen und einem Akt by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book The Memoirs of the Lord of Joinville by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Lord Jim by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book Letters to Madame Hanska: 1833-1846 by Frédéric Bastiat
Cover of the book India in Primitive Christianity by Frédéric Bastiat
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy