Free Trade Under Fire

by Douglas A. Irwin

Growing world trade has helped lift living standards around the world, and yet free trade is always under attack by opponents. Critics complain that trade forces painful economic adjustments, such as plant closings and layoffs of workers, and charge that the World Trade Organization serves the interests of corporations, undercuts domestic environmental regulations, and erodes America's sovereignty. Why has global trade become so controversial? Does free trade deserve its bad reputation? In Free Trade under Fire , Douglas Irwin sweeps aside the misconceptions that litter the debate over trade and gives the reader a clear understanding of the issues involved. This second edition includes a new chapter on trade and developing countries and updates the entire text to deal with new issues such as outsourcing and steel tariffs.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Business, History, Finance, Politics

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2002

About the author

Douglas A. Irwin

An economic historian, he is the John French Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College, one of the eight Ivy League universities in the United States, and a research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He previously taught at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and served as an economist for the Federal Reserve and the President's Council of Economic Advisers. He has published seven books on U.S. economics and trade policy, making him a leading authority in the field. He is also a frequent contributor to The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Financial Times.

Reviews

[Rosie K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my Government class, Politics of International Trade.

Irwin has a clear pro-free trade tilt, but this book was good at explaining why anti-trade arguments aren't effective or beneficial overall. I disagree with the author on some points, especially his claim that the 'race to the bottom' doesn't exist, and with his use of the common "1.25 dollars a day" metric to define poverty (it's harmfully simple! the bar is too low! cost of living varies across time and space, duh!) but I do feel more educated about the intricacies of trade policy now. I also appreciate that Irwin isn't totally extreme; in the conclusion, he writes, "Effective environmental and safety regulations should not be avoided simply because they reduce international trade. The notion that all trade must be kept free at all costs is simply wrong."

TL;DR this book is good food for thought.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good Republican handbook. Of course, I'm not a Republican and I found some of the analysis - particularly the "responses to criticism of free trade" section - a little underdone and sometimes trite (e.g., "to the auto workers, I say: deal with it!"). But other than that, it's a somewhat helpful guide, especially if you don't speak economics; it's basically the argument for free trade, in plain English.

[Paul Whitla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite reading this close to 20 years after publication, I still found it to be highly readable and a good clear, concise guide to the theory of free trade, the major challenges that it faced and government policy to free trade and the role of the WTO.

A nice start to the book explaining the factors that led to the emergence of free trade theory and dealing with concerns over the impact of free trade on the environment and jobs and wages. Perhaps a bit U.S. centric and the section on the WTO is of course now out of date, but still useful as a primer on the subject.

[Valijon Turakulov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book.
It did solid my thoughts and beliefs about the trade further!

I also appreciated Mr.Irwin's sincerity toward analyzing the issues between developed and developing countries. He took the interests of developing countries into account and sometimes took their side.

If you are skeptical about trade and WTO's activity, the book is for you!

[Kevin Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the mechanics of free trade. The book was straightforward and reader-friendly for an economics text. I would recommend it to those wishing to learn more about the benefits and impacts of free trade.

[Kim Killian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm taking a masters class on Global Economics and this book is a requirement for the course. I am new to economics in the sense I haven't purposely thrown myself into the midst of economics to learn what it all means. We are hit with economics on a daily basis with every product we purchase, so its relevant to all. The focus of the book is "for" Free Trade and provided a good basis and for me, an understanding of the nuances of Free Trade. The course presented all facets of Protectionism, Free Trade, and Globalization from a global perspective and this book was important for that learning. I do recommend, "The Choice: A Fable of Free Trade and Protectionism" by Russell Roberts for those who are very new to learning - presenting free trade as a story - it's a great precursor to learning on the topic, yet definitely one-sided perspective.

[David Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those technical books which is aimed at challenging the intelligent, non-economist layperson. While a read does not qualify the reader for a PhD, the writer does help us understand the issues inherent in the trade debate and to dispel many of the myths surrounding international trade.

Here are the major points I learned: 1. trade issues are much too complex to be dealt with as brief talking points and slogans during election campaigns; 2. voters should learn to trust experts in this difficult area once the political leadership has clearly stated the objectives for trade negotiations; 3. American citizens should support free trade and allow the government to work to ameliorate temporary labor dislocations.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in this vital national issue and is willing to be challenged mentally.

[Trent Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dispels the myths about the perils of free trade. It makes a pretty good case for the promotion of free trade. Lots of graphs and data to back up the arguments. There was not one myth, that I had heard of, that was not addressed in the book.

Would make a great gift for someone who falsely believes that the free market system is bad for America.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irwin gives a good look at the problems and progress that is the World Trade Organization. If you are looking for a book that goes beyond the WTO spectre, this isn't for you, but it is a good source on WTO contriversy

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer on International Economics

[C.]

Heard this guy speak today; it was really interesting.

[Kate]

an economic liberal for SURE