Hi,
Workers in industrial nations are many more times productive than workers in developing countries. The manpower cost is thus about the same for the two.
Most industrial countries have stringent environmental laws. Most developing countries do not. Part of their cheapness comes from destroying the environment for all.
Most industrial countries have stringent worker safety laws. Most developing countries do not. Part of their cheapness comes from destroying their citizens.
Most industrial countries have stringent consumer protection laws (that keep children's toys from being painted with lead based paints, keep pet food from being augmented with anti-freeze (or whatever), etc.) Most developing countries do not. Part of their cheapness comes from destroying their customers.
People are stupid and selfish. So, they'll buy the cheapest without considering the 'external' costs. If the costs to protect the environment, the workers, and the consumers were added to the price of things made in developing countries, those items would be more expensive than those made in the industrial nations. The tariffs imposed on those items typically represents only a small part of the difference.
You and eppie are doing me a world of good. I thought the USA was sliding into the toilet. The two of you reassure me that we aren't alone.
--Pete
Quote:Eppie "could you try to use the quote option when you reply, it will be easier to read."How *he* views the forum has no effect on you. Your decision not to use the quote ability *does* effect everyone trying to read your posts. In this, I have to agree with eppie.
Could you switch to Standard View (chronological), like on forums in the rest of the world? It will be easier to read for me.
Quote:The 'rich' countries in the world could never hope to compete economically with the 'poor' countries, if those are given equal chances.Wrong in so many ways that it would take more effort than you are worth to explain. But, just to point out a few things:
Workers in industrial nations are many more times productive than workers in developing countries. The manpower cost is thus about the same for the two.
Most industrial countries have stringent environmental laws. Most developing countries do not. Part of their cheapness comes from destroying the environment for all.
Most industrial countries have stringent worker safety laws. Most developing countries do not. Part of their cheapness comes from destroying their citizens.
Most industrial countries have stringent consumer protection laws (that keep children's toys from being painted with lead based paints, keep pet food from being augmented with anti-freeze (or whatever), etc.) Most developing countries do not. Part of their cheapness comes from destroying their customers.
People are stupid and selfish. So, they'll buy the cheapest without considering the 'external' costs. If the costs to protect the environment, the workers, and the consumers were added to the price of things made in developing countries, those items would be more expensive than those made in the industrial nations. The tariffs imposed on those items typically represents only a small part of the difference.
Quote:They have all the resources (we have used up ours long ago)Right, that's why they import most of their raw materials, because they have so much of their own.
Quote:Let me take our 'beloved' Netherlands to explain a bit. We are very small, amongst the most dense populated countries, and our climate is moderate. Yet we manage to be in the world top when it comes to exporting fruits, vegetables and flowers (and that includes exotic ones). If you think about it, that's very odd. How can we compete with some African country, where they could harvest the same crops at least twice a year, with cheap labor? Over here, we need glasshouses with artificial warmth and light. The costs are enormous (in money as well as environment), and so are the prices in our groceries. And yet, we can dominate the poorer markets in the world with our cheap products.What is "odd" is your inability to think. After stating that the developing countries dominate because of cheapnes, you give a perfect example of how your statement is wrong. And yet you see nothing wrong in your thinking.
You and eppie are doing me a world of good. I thought the USA was sliding into the toilet. The two of you reassure me that we aren't alone.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?