A specific passage that stuck me as significant and particularly well argued is the point where Wheelan discusses the consequences of protectionism. While trade barriers do provide the immediate benefit of saving domestic jobs, they slow down the economy in the long run. Wheelan states that this happens because protectionism works against specialization. If one country is attempting to be self-sufficient, the people of that nation must perform every job instead of working specifically on what they are good (or least bad) at. Decreased specialization leads to decreased productivity, which leads to decreased overall wealth.
Wheelan also makes the point that in history nations have imposed trade blockades on their enemies in order to isolate them and make them worse off. And so, why would people prevent themselves from development and success by intentionally doing what nations have done to punish their enemies? Although protectionism may seem like a good way to secure jobs in the moment, it can have very negative long term costs, which I think Wheelan argues well.
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