Free Trade Under Fire [ペーパーバック]

   1990年代は北米自由貿易協定によりメキシコの安い労働力がアメリカ人の仕事を大きく吸い込んで奪ってしまうというのではないかという恐れで始まり、世界貿易機関（WTO）に対する反対派が「シアトルの闘争」で街頭行動に訴えることで終わった。世界貿易があれほど激しい論争になったのはなぜだろうか? 自由貿易はそれほど悪評を買わなければならないことなのだろうか? 本書で著者ダグラス・アーウィンは、貿易をめぐる議論に混乱をもたらしている誤解を取り除き、この問題の明解なとらえ方を提示している。

   広範囲な経済研究機関のさまざまな見解を紹介しながら、著者は自由貿易の反対派や批判者の立場を詳しく吟味し、彼らが特に米国に対して同意できない根本理由をわかりやすく説明している。著者は、貿易が単に企業だけでなく人々や環境にもたらす経済的利益を説明し、保護主義者の政策は経済を駄目にしその政策では雇用を守ることができないことを実証している。著者は米国の貿易政策を吟味しながら、「公正な貿易」対策が恣意的かつ不公平なものであり、しばしば有害なものであることを示す。そして、世界貿易機関に対する偏見を取り除き貿易と環境に関する論争を判定するための事実関係を明らかにしている。著者は自由貿易を万能薬として持ち上げているわけではなく、それが最善の方法である理由を説明しているのである。

   各主張がしばしば紛糾しがちな論争の中で、著者の分析は実証研究による具体例をふまえた確かな根拠に基づいたものである。本書は専門家以外の経済を学習する広範囲な読者が読み進むことができるようわかりやすく解説されている。今日の最も熱い論争を理解したいと望む読者に第一にすすめたい書物である。 --このテキストは、絶版本またはこのタイトルには設定されていない版型に関連付けられています。

The 1990s began with fears of a "great sucking sound" of jobs lost due to the North American Free Trade Agreement and ended with opponents of the World Trade Organization taking to the streets in the "Battle of Seattle." Why has global trade become so controversial? Does free trade deserve its bad reputation? In Free Trade under Fire, Douglas Irwin sweeps aside the misconceptions that litter the debate over trade and gives the reader a clear understanding of the issues involved.

Putting the findings of an extensive body of economic research at the disposal of the general public, Irwin examines the positions of the proponents and critics of free trade--and makes plain the stakes involved in their disagreement, particularly for the United States. He explains the economic benefits of trade, not just for corporations but for people and the environment. He illustrates how protectionist policies damage the economy and fail to save jobs. Examining U.S. trade policy, he shows how "fair trade" measures are arbitrary, unfair, and often harmful. He then demystifies the World Trade Organization and sets the record straight about its controversial rulings on trade and the environment. Irwin does not hold up free trade as a panacea but demonstrates why it is our best alternative.

In a debate where assertions often masquerade as arguments, Irwin's analysis is firmly evidence-based--rooted in empirical research and relying on specific examples and illustrations. Finely argued, Free Trade under Fire makes a vast body of economic learning accessible to nonspecialists. It is an essential primer for anyone who wants to understand one of the most burning controversies of our time.
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A wealth of reporting, both of trade-theory debates and of recent political battles in America over trade, is elegantly squeezed into the book... If [Free Trade under Fire does] not change trade sceptics' minds, it is hard to think what else would. Economist [Irwin] sets out most of the anti-trade claims one by one (such as 'imports destroy good, high wage jobs') and then marshals the evidence to show why it just ain't so... Compelling [and] cogent. Wall Street Journal [Irwin] successfully parries nearly all arguments leveled against free trade by its critics, and does so in an engaging style, which in itself makes for lively reading. -- Gene Epstein Barron's [A] first-rate book that deals in a systematic and logical way with the arguments and myths about globalization and trade. -- Harold James National Interest Vigorous and persuasive... [Irwin] offers an especially informative chapter on antidumping duties, which have historically been supported in the name of ensuring 'fair trade.' -- Richard Cooper Foreign Affairs --このテキストは、 ペーパーバック 版に関連付けられています。

"An effective marshalling of evidence and ideas on the benefits of open trade is sorely needed and cogently provided in this timely work."--George Schultz, Former Secretary of State

"Free trade is the life blood of the postindustrial economy that has lifted living standards and productivity to levels never before imagined in human history. Douglas Irwin's Free Trade under Fire tells us why free trade is still important and makes the case that in the fight for free trade there are still important battles that must be won."--Michael Barone, Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report, author of The New Americans and Our Country: The Shaping of America from Roosevelt to Reagan

"The miracle of trade is how it enriches both parties to the transaction. Douglas Irwin demonstrates with clarity and grace precisely how the benefits of this miracle dominate its costs. This book is must reading for all, and especially for those who would resist its powerful message."--Peter L. Bernstein, publisher of Economics & Portfolio Strategy and author of The Power of Gold: The History of an Obsession

"This is an important book that systematically reviews objections to free trade and provides a good assessment of the state of current thinking among economists."--Anne O. Krueger, Stanford University

"This is a great book that reviews the case for free trade from an American point of view. Passionate in its arguments, it marshals a large body of evidence--including much that is very recent--into a manageable shape while contributing to the wider debate over free trade."--L. Alan Winters, University of Sussex

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Douglas A. Irwin is professor of economics at Dartmouth College and the author of "Against the Tide: An Intellectual History of Free Trade" (Princeton).