1st Edition

Competition and Free Trade

By Pascal Salin Copyright 2018
    158 Pages
    by Routledge

    158 Pages 12 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Competition and free trade are both concepts which are absolutely central for the understanding of human societies but are also often the subjects of fears and criticisms. It is argued that it is not possible to understand what competition really is without referring to the concept of freedom, and that free trade must be understood as the way to expand the scope of competition.



    This book uniquely analyses the two concepts as closely interlinked, by approaching them in two parts. The first, ‘Competition’, introduces the reader to the traditional competition model, stresses its shortcomings, and explores the dynamics and range of the term in an authoritative way. The second part, ‘Free Trade’ examines the different types of trade, and analyses them in a wealth of contexts, from customs duties to import quotas. With discussions surrounding protectionist arguments, politics, liberalization and history, the author presents an overview of how competition and free trade operate in the real world.



    This book dispels the fears and misunderstandings which have developed around these central pillars of the modern economy and is essential reading for those studying international economics, international trade, political economy or corporate finance.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS



    Foreword



    PART ONE – COMPETITION



    Introduction



    Chapter I – The traditional competition model



    Chapter II – Breaches of atomistic competition



    Chapter III - A critical appraisal of the atomistic theory



    Chapter IV - The entrepreneur and the dynamics of competition



    Chapter V - True and false breaches of competition



    Chapter VI - How far competition ?  



    PART TWO - FREE TRADE



    Chapter VII - Justifications for free trade



    Chapter VIII - The effects of protectionism



    Chapter IX - True and false barriers to trade



    Chapter X - Protectionist arguments



    Chapter XI - The role of political processes



    Chapter XII - Trade liberalization



    Chapter XIII - Historical landmarks



    Bibliography



    Index

    Biography

    Pascal Salin is Honorary Professor of economics at Université Paris, Dauphine, France.