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DRS112 · 03-23-2008, 04:41 PM

I can't dismiss comparative advantage so easily. Especially when you take into consideration what we have to give up to produce that product. Should we produce coffee for instance...or radios or toasters etc. etc. We cannot produce all things. But it's not the only reason for exporting....There is the factor proportions theory...the international product life cycle theory...the national competitive advantage theory...

EDIT: It's not to say that manufacturing should leave all together...because it won't...just that there was some serious problems here with productivity and wages...hell throw in quality too....because of the protectionist policies we had we had over priced(because of overpaid jobs) products that were not of high quality(because of poor management due to no incentives to change). We are seeing that trend reverse...but there is definetly a correction that is taking place....so...while we may have manufacturing jobs...they will never be the $60,000 to $90,000 jobs that they were....

And yes I know that many were only making $30,000 to $50,000...but many of those were lost due to being support industries for the ones paying far more...

03-23-2008, 04:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
DRS112 Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,355 My Mood: Thanks: 72 Thanked 116 Times in 86 Posts	I can't dismiss comparative advantage so easily. Especially when you take into consideration what we have to give up to produce that product. Should we produce coffee for instance...or radios or toasters etc. etc. We cannot produce all things. But it's not the only reason for exporting....There is the factor proportions theory...the international product life cycle theory...the national competitive advantage theory... EDIT: It's not to say that manufacturing should leave all together...because it won't...just that there was some serious problems here with productivity and wages...hell throw in quality too....because of the protectionist policies we had we had over priced(because of overpaid jobs) products that were not of high quality(because of poor management due to no incentives to change). We are seeing that trend reverse...but there is definetly a correction that is taking place....so...while we may have manufacturing jobs...they will never be the $60,000 to $90,000 jobs that they were.... And yes I know that many were only making $30,000 to $50,000...but many of those were lost due to being support industries for the ones paying far more... Last edited by DRS112; 03-23-2008 at 04:53 PM.
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