Economists through years of study and practice have concluded that through free trade, based on the principal of comparative advantage, the world economy can achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and a higher level of material well-being. On the other hand, protectionism measures-barriers to free trade-lessen or eliminate gains from specialization. Trying to satisfy diverse wants, nations shift resources from efficient (low cost) to inefficient (high cost) uses. This is the reason why, instead of promoting competition, governments turn up to face monopolies that harm the economy and do not fulfill the consumers' needs.
Furthermore, the costs of protectionism are hidden because trade barriers are embedded in the prices of goods. Thus, either due to misunderstandings of the gains of trade or due to political considerations, governments may impose trade barriers, with consequences such as higher prices, which can not be realized by the public at the beginning.
No matter how compelling the logic for free trade, barriers do exist. Tariffs are excise taxes on imported goods. They may be imposed for purposes of revenue or protection. Protective tariffs are designed to shield domestic producers from foreign competition. Although they are usually not high enough to prohibit importation of foreign goods, they put foreign producers at a competitive disadvantage in selling in domestic markets. Import quotas specify the maximum amounts of commodities, which may be imported in any period. Thus, they can more effectively retard international commerce than tariffs. Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) refer to licensing requirements, unreasonable standards pertaining to product quality and safety, or unnecessary bureaucratic red tape in customs procedures. Great Britain bars importation of coal this way. Finally, voluntary export restrictions (VERs) are a trade barrier by which foreign firms "voluntarily" limit the amount of their exports to a particular country.
God’s Pharmacy
Friday, January 4, 2008
Author: superadmin | Filed under: Images, Inspirational
A friend sent this to me through mail. It’s been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish… all before making a human. He made and provided what we’d need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We’re such slow learners…
God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
A Great Story To Live By
Monday, December 17, 2007
Author: superadmin | Filed under: Inspirational, Inspirational Stories
My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and
lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. “This,” he said, “is not a slip.
This is lingerie.” He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It
was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The
price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. “Jan
bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years
ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well,
I guess this is the occasion.” He took the slip from me and put it on
the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His
hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the
drawer shut and turned to me. “Don’t ever save anything for a special
occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that
followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores
that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane
returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s
family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or
heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without
realizing that they were special. I’m still thinking about his words,
and they’ve changed my life.
I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting on the deck and admiring
the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. Read the rest of this entry »
Attitude is Everything
Monday, November 19, 2007
Author: superadmin | Filed under: Inspirational, Inspirational Stories
By Francie Baltazar-Schwartz
Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!”
He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?”
Jerry replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, ‘Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.’ I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.” Read the rest of this entry »
Six Inspirational Quotes To Live By - Funny :p
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
1. Lahat ng problema may solusyon, kung walang solusyon, wag mo nang problemahin.
2. Always remember, kung kaya ng iba, ipagawa mo sa kanila. Don’t force yourself, make life easy.
3. Hindi lahat ng gwapo may girlfriend… ang iba sa kanila may boyfriend…
4. Don’t face your problem if your problem is your face; umiwas sa lahat ng bagay na nakakaaninag– salamin; microwave; stainless steel na kawali, kaldero, kutsara, tinidor.
5. Di bale ng tamad, di naman pagod.
6. Praktis makes perfect but nobody’s perfect, so don’t praktis.
www.ifeelokay.com
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