Now that we have examined the motivations, benefits, and issues surrounding so-called free trade, it’s time to ask the question: “Free from what?” Module 4 explores attempts by governments to constrain trade. Not surprisingly, we will find that economists are generally skeptical about the specific benefits of tariffs, quotas, and export controls and seek to remove or minimize constraints on trade in most instancesbut not necessarily all.
Discussion Requirement
Trade barriers
Select a developed country that has implemented a tariff, and a developing country that manufactures products that are impacted by that same tariff. The current US and China tariff war cannot be used since these are the two largest economies in the world. Investigate the economic impact of the trade barrier on the developing country and the developed country. Would you recommend that the developed country eliminate the tariff? Explain your reasoning.
Directions:
Discuss the concepts, principles, and theories from your textbook. Cite your textbooks and cite any other sources if appropriate.
Your initial post should address all components of the question with a 600 word limit.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Trade Barriers: Analyzing Tariffs Between Developed and Developing Countries
Introduction
Trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, and export controls, are tools used by governments to regulate international trade. These measures can affect the flow of goods and services between countries, impacting economies in both developed and developing nations. For this discussion, we will examine the tariff policies of the European Union (EU) on textiles and apparel from Bangladesh, a developing country significantly impacted by these trade barriers. The EU has implemented tariffs on various textile imports to protect its domestic industries, which poses economic challenges for Bangladesh. This analysis will explore the economic impacts of these tariffs and provide a recommendation regarding their elimination.
Economic Impact on Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the largest exporters of textiles and apparel in the world, relying heavily on this sector for economic growth and employment. According to the World Bank, the garment industry accounts for approximately 80% of Bangladesh’s total exports (World Bank, 2021). The EU tariffs on textiles create significant economic challenges for Bangladesh by increasing the cost of its goods in the international market. Higher tariffs can lead to decreased demand for Bangladeshi products in the EU market, resulting in reduced export revenues and potential job losses in the garment sector.
Additionally, the tariff environment can hinder Bangladesh’s economic development by stifling innovation and competitiveness. When faced with higher tariffs, Bangladeshi manufacturers may have limited resources to invest in technological advancements or improve production processes. This stagnation can perpetuate a cycle of dependency on low-cost labor without fostering long-term economic growth or diversification.
Economic Impact on the European Union
From the perspective of the EU, the implementation of tariffs on textiles is aimed at protecting local industries from competition with lower-cost producers like Bangladesh. Economists generally argue that while tariffs may provide short-term protection for domestic industries, they often lead to negative consequences, including higher prices for consumers and inefficiencies within protected sectors. According to classical trade theories, such as David Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage, countries benefit from specializing in industries where they hold a competitive edge (Krugman & Obstfeld, 2018). In this case, the EU may be sacrificing overall economic efficiency by imposing tariffs on textiles.
Furthermore, the EU risks damaging its relationships with developing countries like Bangladesh, leading to potential retaliation or diplomatic tensions. The reliance on tariffs can create an environment of trade uncertainty that negatively affects investment decisions and long-term growth prospects within both regions.
Should the EU Eliminate Tariffs?
Given the negative economic impacts on both Bangladesh and the EU, it would be advisable for the EU to consider eliminating or reducing its tariffs on textiles and apparel. Removing these barriers could lead to several positive outcomes.
Firstly, eliminating tariffs would likely reduce consumer prices in the EU by allowing for increased competition from Bangladeshi products. This would benefit consumers by providing them with a wider range of affordable options. Secondly, by fostering a more open trade environment, the EU could enhance its relationship with Bangladesh and other developing nations, promoting goodwill and potentially leading to mutually beneficial trade agreements.
Moreover, allowing Bangladeshi textiles into the EU market without tariffs could stimulate growth in Bangladesh’s garment sector. This would create job opportunities and promote economic development in a country that relies heavily on textile exports. The increased revenue generated from exports could then be reinvested into local businesses, education, and infrastructure, further boosting economic resilience.
Conclusion
While tariffs may serve specific protective purposes for developed economies like the EU, their broader economic implications often lead to detrimental effects on both developed and developing countries. The case of EU tariffs on Bangladeshi textiles illustrates how trade barriers can stifle innovation, reduce competitiveness, and create inefficiencies in both markets. Therefore, it is recommended that the European Union reevaluates its tariff policies in favor of a more open trade approach that promotes economic growth and fosters strong international relationships.
References
– Krugman, P. R., & Obstfeld, M. (2018). International Economics: Theory and Policy (11th ed.). Pearson.
– World Bank. (2021). Bangladesh Overview. Retrieved from World Bank
