Protectionism is the policy of shielding a country’s domestic industries from foreign competition, usually with tariffs, import quotas or subsidies.
Historical proponents:Friedrich List, Alexander Hamilton, such as tariffs on imports, is justified to defend domestic jobs and industries.
Nothing is sent anywhere.
Protectionist policies make imported goods more expensive or harder to bring in, or they help domestic producers compete. The main tools are tariffs (taxes on imports), quotas (limits on quantities), subsidies to local firms, and rules such as local-content requirements.
Supporters say protection can defend jobs, nurture young industries and reduce dependence on rivals for critical goods. Critics say it raises prices for consumers, invites retaliation and shelters firms from competition. Most countries use some protection, and the argument is usually about how much, and for which sectors.
Influential figures in the 12 axes thinker pool who advocated, analyzed or shaped ideas around this concept.
German economist · 1789–1846
A German economist who argued that young industries need temporary tariff protection and that nations grow through their productive powers, and who campaigned for a customs union and railways.
“Strategic infant-industry tariffs to develop domestic productive powers before opening.”
Statesman & financier · 1755–1804
The first Treasury secretary, who argued for an energetic national government, a national bank and public support for manufacturing.
“Backed tariffs to protect infant American manufactures from British competition.”
Real cases that people point to when they use the word.
The Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 in the United States, which raised duties on thousands of imported goods and is often cited in debates about trade wars.
Tariffs and quotas on farm products in many countries, including the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and Japan’s rice tariffs.
“Infant industry” policies that several East Asian economies used to build up manufacturing in the 20th century.
Reasonable people disagree about this. These are the strongest points made on each side.
The test asks about it in a statement. Your answer moves one axis score.
Agreeing with statements about tariffs, self-sufficiency and limits on foreign ownership moves your score toward the Isolationism side of the Isolationism vs Globalism axis. Agreeing with statements in favor of free trade moves it toward Globalism.
Which way agreeing pushes the score
Agreeing with a statement about protectionism moves your score toward Isolationism.
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Three statements gave you a first reading. The full test scores all twelve axes and finds your closest countries and ideologies.