Protectionism and Free Trade

Innovations aren't very useful unless they serve consumers in the marketplace. Otherwise, we're pursuing innovation for its own sake, and that isn't progress.

The North American fur trade is in decline. Unfortunately, many think that the solution is for the government to step in to “protect” trappers from market competition.

Whether diversity is a social benefit depends on whether it creates excuses to fight each other for special treatment. Politicizing our differences is far more likely to make diversity a source of conflict.

So long as governments exist, it is essential that we minimize the ability of groups and individuals to use the power of the state to enrich themselves.