A review by inquiry_from_an_anti_library
The National System Of Political Economy by Friedrich List

adventurous challenging informative slow-paced

2.0

Is This An Overview?

What cannot be produced domestically, needs to be obtained through international trade.  Sovereign states are limited in what they can produce due to resources, industry, and politics.  States prefer and benefit from free and unrestricted trade when they have an agrarian economy, as they can export surplus agriculture products in exchange for manufactured products and metal resources.  Trade policies change to become more restricted when the state develops their culture and industry. 

 

States borrow skills and manufacturing ability from others, but then protect them domestically.  Competition has the effect of improving the production ability of the competitors, but when domestic producers want more market share, they use their power to appeal to political representatives.  Domestic producers ask for restricting foreign competition, and the politicians tend to oblige. 

 

Social and political institutions effect the ability to produce material wealth.  States that had more liberty, had more production ability.  Liberty brings with it industry, invention, and enterprise.  People who are persecuted in a state, take their skills to states that would support them.  Infrastructure accompanies the development of manufacturing ability, to enhance access to the market.

 

Caveats?

This book is difficult to read, with antediluvian references.  A diverse history of trade is presented, but more research will be needed to understand any state or situation.  Various economic ideas remain valid, but their explanations have been improved.