Why truly free trade is also truly fair

[Chris]

True, so long as there are nation-states, they dictate who may trade with whom and on what basis. If someone in America wants to trade with someone in Cuba, can they? No. So much for a free market.

Right, nation-states, the State can dictate who you can trade with, refuse to protect the liberty of its citizens, and in doing so reduces the amount of free trade that exists.

But are you seriously arguing this is a good thing, that it's beneficial? Trade is the only means we have to generate wealth. We can produce the finest thing imaginable, but if we can't trade with each other, there's no gain and thus no incentive.

[Dr. Who]

Right, nation-states, the State can dictate who you can trade with, refuse to protect the liberty of its citizens, and in doing so reduces the amount of free trade that exists.

But are you seriously arguing this is a good thing, that it's beneficial? Trade is the only means we have to generate wealth. We can produce the finest thing imaginable, but if we can't trade with each other, there's no gain and thus no incentive.

I am not arguing the merits of the nation-state, but the reality of the fact that there is no truly free market in a world with nation-states.

[Chris]

I am not arguing the merits of the nation-state, but the reality of the fact that there is no truly free market in a world with nation-states.

So we go back to the simple question: What is it the State taxes, tariffs, and otherwise tries to regulate? Something that doesn't exist? Hmm.

[Dr. Who]

So we go back to the simple question: What is it the State taxes, tariffs, and otherwise tries to regulate? Something that doesn't exist? Hmm.

They are regulating trade, but as you have been wont to say on other occasions, it is managed trade.

[Chris]

They are regulating trade, but as you have been wont to say on other occasions, it is managed trade.

Right, trade, trade between people that is voluntary and where each gains because they trade something they value less for what they value more.

But that is the definition of free trade. And that is what the State tries to fix (prices) and manage (tax, tariff, regulate).

But you say free trade doesn't exist.


I think part of the problem here is in speaking in absolutes. Trade is either all free or free trade does not exist, when in fact it, free trade, is only partially managed by the State, and in cases, like under the table deals, the black market, illegal trade, and etc is not regulated at all.

[Peter1469]

Please read what I've been posting, respond to that.

Done.

I still want to know where the free tade is across national boundries.

[Peter1469]

Yes, you are, Peter, and you're misusing theory again, it's not an antonym of reality, a theory is a description of reality, be it my description or yours.

I will no longer respond.

Good, considering you can't accept the real world and live in theory-land.

Where is this free trade across national borders?

[kilgram]

Free trade is not fair. And free trade does not exist, as there is no equality between the participants.

[Peter1469]

Free trade is not fair. And free trade does not exist, as there is no equality between the participants.

Free trade is fair. We just don't have it outside of nations.

This morning, I gave a farmer $12 for several small pieces of flat iron steak. I was happy. He was happy. No government got in the way.

[Chris]

Free trade is not fair. And free trade does not exist, as there is no equality between the participants.

Please define what you especially mean by those words to arrive at your conclusions. Some, please, besides defining free trade as the opposite.

The OP defines free trade as voluntary exchange. In such trade, each party freely exchanges what he values less for what he values more, thereby such gains for each give reason to free trade being fair. How can it be unfair?