[morley]

People tend to complain about the obvious effects of free trade (i.e., businesses folding to competition), but they overlook the less obvious, more spread out effects (i.e., people being able to afford more goods, and other businesses being able to purchase more materials and having access to larger markets).

[crdoconnor]

People tend to overlook that it largely caused, among other things, the Irish potato famine:

http://www.e-ir.info/2011/06/23/britain-free-trade-and-the-i...

As in the 1800s, it's a good deal for rich countries and a bad deal for developing countries since their infant industries can't compete and so never get off the ground.

China was wise not to follow this path. As was Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.

[mseebach]

I skimmed that article for evidence of your claim that free trade caused the Irish potato famine, but couldn't find any. It seems to discuss "[the assumption] that, had this event [the Irish Potato famine] not happened, Britain would not have repealed the Corn Laws at that time, and thus, would not have taken steps towards free trade in subsequent years" and concludes that "Britain would have moved towards Free Trade in 1846-1860 even if the Irish Potato Famine had not occurred".

[crdoconnor]

>I skimmed that article for evidence of your claim that free trade caused the Irish potato famine

It was causing food to be exported to Britain while the Irish starved.

[mseebach]

The article doesn't seem to concern itself with that aspect at all? And the famine predates the repeal of the corn laws, to the point where the famine was an explicitly cited motivation for the repeal.

[swasheck]

how are more goods and such a universal positive?

[jameshart]

It's not just beats headphones we're talking about here. When you visit a school classroom, you expect to see books, pens, paper, chairs, desks, art supplies... those are all 'goods'. Affordable access to them is a very positive thing.

[swasheck]

that's a completely fair and valid perspective. i just want to make sure that generic "goods" aren't what we think are going to cure the ailments of those who are dealing with poverty. additionally, poverty can also be a symptom of systematic class/social warfare (though not always). in these countries that we're hoping free trade can infuse with goods, we need to make sure that we've addressed the ruling structures such that these goods are permitted for appropriate use.

[mseebach]

What you seem to say in a somewhat roundabout way is that there's badness in the world that isn't poverty, or directly caused by poverty. Which is correct and totally uncontroversial.