A Trade Policy for Progressive Democrats

The Democratics harbor a wide range of trade policy communities: economic nationalist/populists, progressives, various special interest protectionists, and Hamiltonian project liberals. 

Here Dani Rodrik describes a trade policy for progressive Democrats: What would a progressive trade agenda look like? (Dani Rodrik's Weblog, October 12).  The comments are good too.

Comments

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I would like to see ALL revenue from a carbon tax be divided into equal shares for ALL Americans, except those under 16 years of age would get a half share (since they don’t drive). Pay the dividend out monthly using the Social Service Administration.

Stop all government subsidies for energy, including wind, nuclear, ‘clean’ coal, biofuels, etc. Let the people decide how they want to spend their carbon dividend. The market will respond with the most efficient products. Government intervention tends to reward the most effective lobbyists, not the best solutions. I share La Busconna’s paranoia in this regard.