In a message dated 7/27/01 9:47:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
<<
Because Economists are scientists, and science invariably leads you to
certain *truths.*
Foremost among those truths are that:
1) Free-trade benefits *everyone.*
2) Large-scale socialism doesn't work.
>>
Well - Philosophically I would disagree with several points.
1) Economists are not scientists - Not even soft scientists (like
psychologists). They use math and attempt to test hypotheses but not in the
way that scientists do. More like historians.
2) A good thing to that they are not scientists if it is truth you want
because science is not a "truth" seeking discipline.
3) If these two facts are now considered scientific truths (or at least the
best hypothesis we have going) where is the proof. Large scale socialism has
not worked so far (and I personally do not think it will) but since economics
always takes place within a specific historical context this may be more
contigent fact then universal truth.
4) Free trade does not in the broad sense benefit everyone. Some will always
suffer from the effects of free trade. Now to me the good outweighs the bad
but to make this statement implies that we need not worry about those who
suffer because of free trade. There are people who lose jobs cannot feed
families get sick etc. It seems to me that the roll of government is to
smooth the bumps made inevitable by free trade.
