Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Bill Mitchell — So-called ‘free trade’ agreements should be strongly opposed

My header this week is in solidarity for the Greek people. I hope they vote no and then realise that leaving the dysfunctional Eurozone will promise them growth and a return to some prosperity. They can become the banner nation for other crippled Eurozone nations – a guiding light out of the madness that the neo-liberal elites have created. While Greece battens down against the most incredible attack on European democracy since who knows when – perhaps since the Anschluss that led finally to war breaking out a year later in Europe, one wonders how low the Brussels elite will go to preserve control of the agenda. 
They clearly lost control on Friday when the Greek leadership decided to go back to the people to determine whether they wanted more poverty-inducing austerity. In response, the Brussels gang along with their Washington mates at the IMF have come out with personal attacks, lies, threats and ridiculous dissembling. But that is what happens when bullies can’t bully. But while these events are rather extraordinary in historical terms, other insidious attacks on democratic rights and choice are on-going. One of the more startling attempts to undermine the capacity of elected states to deliver on their mandate to their electorates and hand over almost absolute power over the state to international corporations is the so-called Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)....
Bill Mitchell – billy blog
So-called ‘free trade’ agreements should be strongly opposed
Bill Mitchell | Professor in Economics and Director of the Centre of Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE), at University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia

1 comment:

Dan Lynch said...

Bill said "What evidence is there that these agreements advance well-being? Answer: none."

And that's the bottom line.

True believers in free trade may say that it allows us to buy cheaper stuff at Walmart (never mind that much of the price differential may end up in Walmart's pocket rather than in our pocket). But free market enthusiasts also oppose the minimum wage because they believe it makes us pay more for stuff at Walmart. Ditto government regulations in general.

Perhaps it is true that we have to pay more for stuff due to regulations, but I say that is the price we pay for a civilized society.

Anyway, it's good to see more MMTer's questioning these so-called free trade deals, which are really corporate trade deals.