Thank you! (Tried to post this a minute ago, but I think my post got lost.)

One of the things that bugs me the most about the Economist is that they agitate so strongly against any tariffs, or any protectionism of any kind, ever, in the name of "liberal economics."

Arguing against tariffs is like arguing against artificial lungs, because natural cardiovascular workouts are essential to good health. Yes, cardiovascular workouts are essential to good health. But if an industry, perhaps a young nation's auto industry, or an old nation's threatened artisanal workers (like France's bread- and cheesemakers, very much under threat from big supermarket chains), or an entire class (say, the American middle class) is endangered, then why not protect them?

Because of what Friedrich List is quoted as saying. Essentially, because those who have are content to let those who have not go and hang. Thanks a lot and forget you.

That quote from List really applies to the US domestic economy too. Those who have made it are busy kicking down the ladder of opportunity for everyone else. They are scared stiff that some bright ambitious, but poor or middle class person, might outcompete their incompetent offspring. Coonections, the "best" schools, etc, are not enough. They also want to protect their fortunes for all time. It won't work, but who wants to go through the trauma of revolution to correct the inequities?

"The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy: an economist examines the Markets,Power & Politics of World Trade", by Pietra Rivoli, associate professor at Georgetown University's business school, presents the development of cotton production in the US, the textile industry (knit goods) in China, international trade ("How politics came to rule the global apparel trade").

Rivoli concludes that there isn't free trade, but rather protracted conflicts over subsidies and legislation,ungil her T-shirt "...finally encounters a free market" in the global trade incast-off clothing.

After T-shirts leave the Salvation Army bin, they make their way to used clothing markets in African countries.

Rivoli examines the many stages between US cast-offs (wholesale rag trade, shippers, large distributors, mid-level dealers) and the African buyers.

The book centers on the men and women involved in the complex processes of agricultural, industrial and commercial development .

Yes, tables , graphs, ample footnotes & bibliography.

This is a wonderfully readable book that breaks down complex processes, always in historical context.

It was published in 2005.

Definitely al, exactly.

Margzim, I think that 60 minutes did a documentary on that subject not too long ago? I'm trying to remember, but does that ring a bell?

Ha-Joon Chang of Cambridge University has made a very similar point in his article "Kicking Away The Ladder: How the Economic and Intellectual Histories of Capitalism Have Been Re-Written To Justify Neo-Liberal Capitalism" in the Post-Autistic Economics Review, issue no. 15, September 4, 2002, available online.