Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Before we start analyzing the comic above, let us look at the definiton of free trade:
Free trade is a market model in which trade in goods and services between or within countries flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions. (Restrictions to trade include taxes and other legislation, such as tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.)
As we can see from the comic, it shows a man (who is bigger in size compared to the other two petite men sitting at each of his sides) exclaiming his joy for the arrival of free trade. We can easily tell that he is from the Corporate America as it is clearly marked on his suit. At his left side sat a man who is a foreign worker working in the US. He carries a solemn expression, with his foot tied to a metal ball which says "Slave wages, no worker rights". While at the right side of the man from Corporate America, sat a US worker who alse has his foot tied to a metal ball which says "Massive layoffs, vanishing worker rights". The obvious size differences that is being observed from the comic displays the authority of the Corporate America has over US workers and the foreign workers working in the US. Also, judging from the whip and metal chain in the hands of the man from Corporate America, we can conclude that he has control over the US and foreign workers working in US. He is able to torture them and make them do to his favour.
With globalization, it brings free trade into the economy system. As much as the convenience of free trade rules the economy, it cancels out worker rights and lowers down wages by a double. Also, there comes massive layoffs. Free trade indeed brings priviledges and benefits to the government, but in general it does not benefit individual workers. With massive layoffs and lowering of wages, workers will have to work harder or find other alternatives to support themselves and their families. If this continues, the country's economic status might get affected with the decrease in employment. The economy flow will not be even out as the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. In my opinion, free trade is not one of the best way to organise an economy.
About
Jennifer Liu Zhe
--> belongs to staplebullets.
--> belongs to 2B/06
A ECONOMIC expert ;)
She knows about Globalization too!
