Description:

Edited by Richard M. Ebeling and Jacob G. Hornberger

This collection of essays defends the historic libertarian position of free trade and free immigration. Many people who claim to support freedom are fervent advocates of state controls on these issues. Here is the case for freedom.

Review

“Critics of international trade will not like this book at all. Hornberger and Ebeling have assembled a collection of articles that are easy to read and understand. These articles seek to introduce elements of truth and good sense into public policy debate that have been dominated by critics who have been selling their nonsense to industry interest groups with the highest bid for protection from market forces.” — Richard B. McKenzie, Walter B. Gerkin Professor of Enterprise and Society, University of California, Irvine

“Marvelously explained here: Trade enriches, and more immigration benefits the United States. Read it and cheer.” — Julian Simon, author of The Economic Consequences of Immigration

“This book explains some of the factors Peter Brimelow, a senior editor at Forbes, ignores or glosses over in his book Alien Nation. The contributors explain that free trade and open immigration are closely related, two aspects of what constitute a free society, two natural rights that government has no just reason to inhibit, and transactions that have promoted progress and prosperity to the extent that they have been permitted. The authors also note that talk of limiting immigration betrays an inherent collectivism toward human endeavors. If we don’t think bureaucrats in Washington should be allowed to prescribe the precise design of filters on the emission systems of our cars or the exact formula of gasoline, why should they be allowed to dictate the precise composition of our neighborhoods?” — Alan W. Bock, Columnist, The Orange County, Calif, Register

“With the consensus in favor of open borders perhaps under greater attack than ever before, this book should help convert Americans to the cause of a genuinely free world.” — Doug Bandow, senior fellow, Cato Institute

Customer Review:

Like most Americans, I thought illegal aliens were destroying the country. For most of us, TV was the source for that opinion.

This book changed my mind.

Its a compliation of articles by a somewhat limited variety of modern-day authors about the history and consequences of tight borders. You don’t need an economics or political science degree to enjoy and understand the book immensely.

The book covers arguments against immigration and free trade such as; the drains on Social Security and Welfare by “lazy” immigrants, the “stealing” of jobs within the borders and the export of jobs to foreign countries, the increases in crime supposedly associated with immigration, the consequences of import/export tariffs and quotas, and artifically high wages relative to the world. All are justifiably made in defense of the American way of life, but simply fail to comprehend the nature of free trade and immigration as presented in this book. No credible argument is left unturned. Each is dealt with fairly and persuasively. Where appropriate, numbers are introduced.

The true nature of international trade and its costs/benefits along with an accurate representation of immigration are concisely and beautifully presented. All that is left of the opposition is a pile of emotional isolationism.

The drafters of our so-far successful Constitution agreed with the principles in this book; others would do well to find out why.