Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, trade embargoes and blockades have traditionally been used to entice nations to alter their behavior or to punish them for certain behavior. The intentions behind these policies are generally noble, at least on the surface. However, instituting these policies...

Paul Samuelson's recent article in the Journal of Economic Perspectives (2004) started drawing attention even before it was officially published (Fingleton, 2004). His conclusions go against the weight of 200 years of trade theory in concluding that international trade can, at times, result in...

This paper presents the results of a study of opinion on attitude toward whether the world is better off or worse off because of science and technology. The most recent wave of World Values Survey data was used. Countries were ranked by mean score. The sample size was gathered in 60 countries...

Some individuals advocate incorporating labor standards into trade agreements. Others are vehemently opposed to the idea. Both sides to the controversy give compelling arguments to support their positions. This paper examines the controversy and applies ethical theory to determine whether...

Several major trade agreements in recent years have included a provision that addresses labor standards. Other trade agreements that are now in the discussion stage are considering incorporating labor standards as an integral part of the final agreement. The goals of such agreements are noble -...

Various groups have been demanding that discussions of labor standards be included in all future trade negotiations. The press is full of stories of alleged exploitation of child labor and other employment abuses in developing countries and human rights groups have demanded that something be...

Outsourcing is an efficient way to reduce a company's costs and is often necessary to remain competitive. However, the practice has had its critics. This paper summarizes the outsourcing debate that has been going on in the United States and identifies and discusses some ethical issues that...

Trade policy is often used as a tool of international relations. Offering to reduce tariffs or quotas or to liberalize trade can be used as a bargaining chip to induce trading partners to do the same. When successful, such agreements result in a positive-sum game, since all parties to the deal...

Wife beating, spousal abuse, domestic violence, or whatever else you want to call it, has been around for centuries, probably since the beginning of human existence. There are several reasons why this kind of behavior exists, but the present paper will not get into those reasons. For more on...