People want to connect. In an open society ideas spread, people find better ways to address problems, wealth is crated and the human condition improves. Protectionist economics disconnects people. In a closed, protectionist society, the common people suffer. Rather than attempt to provide a protectionist atmosphere for domestic industry the United States should focus on meeting the challenges of a global society.
In 2007 41,059 people died in traffic accidents on American roads. This would fill Madison Square Gardens in twice for a New York Rangers NHL game and a New York Knicks NBA game, or fill AT&T Park once where the Major League Baseball team San Francisco Giants play.
Some hold to protectionist ideologies such as “We need to demand the same level of quality in all foreign goods as American goods or reduce the standards for American companies.” I believe the statement should be reversed, at least for auto manufacturers, we should demand the same level of quality for all domestic autos as foreign automobile manufacturers. Most, if not all, products have the same inspection requirements and regulations in the marketplace regarding safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not take into account domestic or foreign origin of an automobile manufacturer for safety ratings. Consumer Reports does not take into account where an auto was designed or produced. Consider the findings of Consumer Reports Safest Cars.
What do most of these autos have in common?
Few of the safest autos are produced by American corporations. Protectionist economics which increase taxes on foreign imports will encourage domestic automobile manufactures to remain at the bottom tier of auto safety and innovation. Open markets push for the spread of ideas and consumer expectations, thus increasing the quality of auto safety. Perhaps US manufacturers can learn how to build safer autos from international producers rather than hid behind protectionism.
With respect to auto safety, we can only gain by building connections. Building connections to improve relations with international manufactures would mean that more people could live to attend a sporting event rather than die and be part of a stadium statistic.
