Trade axis: Global vs Protected
This axis asks how open a country's economy should be to the rest of the world. Should goods, companies and money move freely, or should the country shield its own industries and workers?
14 statements in the test score this axis. Agreeing with some moves you toward Global, with others toward Protected.
What the Trade axis measures
The Trade axis looks at tariffs, trade deals, foreign investment, offshoring and buying local. Your score runs from -100 (Global) to +100 (Protected).
It is about how an economy faces outward, not about how big the state should be inside it. Someone can want a large welfare state and open trade, or a small one and high tariffs. That is why it sits with foreign affairs and not with the economy axes.
Sample statements
These are real statements from the test. Each one is keyed to this axis, in one direction or the other.
“Countries should remove most barriers to trade with each other.”
“Globalization has done more good than harm for ordinary people.”
“Tariffs on imported goods are a good way to protect domestic jobs.”
“A country should produce its own essential goods, such as food and medicine, even if importing them is cheaper.”
What the Global end means
People at this end believe open trade makes most people better off. Countries can focus on what they do best, as economists since David Ricardo have argued, and everyone gets cheaper goods and more choice. They also point to growth in poorer countries that joined the world economy.
They tend to see tariffs as a tax on consumers that protects a few businesses at everyone else's cost. Trade also builds ties between nations, which they think makes conflict less likely.
- They often argue that fewer trade barriers lower prices and widen choice.
- Many credit global commerce with lifting people out of poverty.
- They tend to welcome overseas firms that build plants and create jobs.
- Many accept that some local industries will shrink as trade grows.
Who sits at the Global end
- Murray Rothbard-100
- Ludwig von Mises-95
- Ayn Rand-90
- Henry George-90
- Milton Friedman-90
- William Ewart Gladstone-85
What the Protected end means
People at this end believe a country should look after its own producers and workers first. When a factory closes because cheaper goods arrive from abroad, a whole town can suffer for years, and cheaper prices do not make up for that. Tariffs have long been used to build up young industries and guard jobs, from the Corn Laws in Britain to many tariff systems elsewhere.
They also point to security. A country that cannot make its own food, medicine or key goods depends on others in a crisis. They tend to want to keep control of vital assets at home.
- They often favor tariffs and subsidies to keep factories and farms open.
- Many want food, medicine and similar basics made at home for security.
- They tend to prefer that public contracts go to local firms.
- Many want limits on outside ownership of land and strategic businesses.
Who sits at the Protected end
- Pat Buchanan+85
- Benjamin Harrison+75
- Juan Perón+75
- Mahatma Gandhi+70
- Alfred Deakin+65
- Indira Gandhi+65
Scores near the middle
A score near zero often means you back trade in general but want some limits. You might want free trade in most goods while protecting food, medicine or defense industries, or support trade deals only if they come with strong worker protections.
Common mix-ups
Trade is just another name for the Markets axis. No. Markets asks how much the government should steer the domestic economy. Trade asks about borders. A person can love free markets at home and still back tariffs, or want strong state planning and open trade.
Protected means isolationist. Not necessarily. A person can want tariffs and still favor strong alliances and diplomacy. Trade is about economic policy, and foreign policy has its own axis.
Global means ignoring workers. No. Many people at this end want help such as retraining and a safety net for workers hurt by change. They just prefer that to blocking trade.
How it relates to other axes
Markets: Markets is about government steering inside the economy. Trade is about borders. They often pair up, but tariffs are a government tool, so some free-market supporters still choose Protected.
Foreign policy: Foreign policy covers diplomacy and military power. Trade covers economic openness. A country can cooperate closely with others on security while still protecting its industries, or the reverse.
FAQ
Are tariffs always a bad idea?
Economists and voters disagree. Critics say tariffs raise prices and invite retaliation, while supporters say they protect jobs and key industries. Where you land depends on which costs and benefits you weigh most.
Why does the test ask about foreign ownership of land and companies?
It is a close cousin of tariffs. Both ask whether a country should limit outside economic influence. Supporters of limits stress security and control, and opponents stress investment and jobs.
Does a Protected score mean I oppose all trade?
No. Almost no one wants zero trade. It means you lean toward shielding domestic industry and workers when they clash with cheaper imports.
Is Trade part of the left-right economy score?
No. In this test it is part of the Diplomacy side, alongside Foreign policy, not the Economy side. That keeps your views on state spending and your views on borders from being mixed up.
Where do you sit on Trade?
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