Mr BoShambles
jambiguous
For example: some people on the left advocate reparations for slavery. Many on the left favor economic 'free trade' reform so that the severe asymmetry of power within the WTO can be somewhat counterbalanced. Many favor social programs that attempt to give an economic leg up to those who are born underprivileged. There are several thousand of these I could mention.
The reasons why are complex and vary by example, but they are usually quite obvious. People on the left favor economic reparations and countermeasures to class stratification because it would benefit the lower and lower middle classes, and in turn help level the playing field for people who want to achieve success and financial stability in life but otherwise would simply be unable to do so.
Ok lets take this bit by bit. So how would you/the left reform free trade to address the asymmetry of power between states (which would exist in a world of 'free trade' or not)? And how would increased protectionism benefit the lower and middle classes in the worlds poorer countries? Is it not true that in many cases tariffs, barriers and quotas have an adverse effect on the lives of the majority in any given society while acting as a tool to priviledge the elite and the state monopolies they support. I am as against the stupid economic nationalist type protectionism we exhibit in the West as I am elsewhere... our agricultural subsidies being the best example.
Not sure exactly what kind of social programs you are suggesting. Generally speaking, although social/redistributive programs can often be ineffective and sometimes even counter-productive, I'm not against them per se. Depends on their intentions, how well planned they are and ultimately how effective they are in each individual case.
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