General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Here's the source for some of the pro-TPP bull$hit being disseminated on DU: [View all]TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)Trade exists-- it has always existed, going back to before the Phoenicians. And it exists now and will not stop.
Without regulation you have piracy, slavery, death and destruction from basic human greed.
There are two ways to regulate trade-- empire or treaty. Empire takes as much of the trade business and incorporates it into the laws and procedures of one country. There have been many empires throughout history, but the British are the best example of expanding their national law across the planet to stabilize markets and make sure they had regular supplies of tea and cotton.
The problems with Empire are obvious, so the next best solution is coming to agreements over tariffs, taxes, safety concerns piracy, currency exchange, port management, time zones, and everything else that can affect getting things from here to there.
An alternative is stopping trade with protectionism and putting up barriers. We kind of tried that once, and it didn't work. It means you can't get the Hondas made in Japan, or avocados, or Indian tea. It also means global economic collapse.
I have no insider knowledge of the TPP, but it is being negotiated as an alternative to anarchy. If you prefer anarchy, leading to Chinese hegemony, go for it.