Rachel Zellie, Chapter 12, Question #3

One of the topics Wheelan discussed has a major implication on our futures and the future of economies. Wheelan discussed that free trade creates losers which causes negative and positive effects to arise. Because of creative destruction many jobs are lost to those who can be paid cheaper to do it or to s robot that is far more productive and less expensive. In the short run the idea of creative destruction has a negative effect on those losing their jobs. This situation becomes more negative when you note that the economy created around 200,000 jobs (1990-97) but many of the 37,000 unemployed people remained unemployed because of their low skill level. The competition created by free trade only creates positive effects in the long run. In the long the positives consist of the growing economy absorbing displaced workers and exports raise making consumers richer through cheaper imports. Overall trade creating losers is a positive thing in terms of the long run but that doesn't minimize the human pain and disruption of the present workers becoming unemployed. I really thought the quote Wheelan inserted from Mark Twain summed up most people's opinion regarding free trade competition. "I'm all for progress; it's change I don't like." (277)