Why read Clashing over Commerce?

Book cover of Clashing over Commerce: A History of US Trade Policy

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Should the United States be open to commerce with other countries, or should it protect domestic industries from foreign competition? This question has been the source of bitter political conflict throughout American history. Such conflict was inevitable, James Madison argued in The Federalist Papers, because trade policy involves clashing economic…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Clashing over Commerce as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Francine McKenzie

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Irwin’s history of US trade policy from the colonial period to the early 21st century will convince you that you cannot write about domestic and international politics without writing about tariffs and trade.

Because international trade affected people, regions, and sectors of the economy in different ways, trade policies elicited support and opposition. Given the importance of the United States to the global economy, it is crucial to understand how trade policy has been mired in politics.

While Irwin’s study focuses on the United States, there is no reason to think trade is less combustible elsewhere.

From Francine's list on The best history books to understand why international trade is all about politics.