'Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.' (Thomas Jefferson)

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  • 'Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.' (Thomas Jefferson)
    • Some social and economic groupings and why they exist
      • EU (1945-1950)
        • Developed to prevent issues associated with the past world wars, e.g. food shortages and political instability
        • Open market, free of barriers and movement of resources, e.g. labour.
        • Economic Union due to adoption of common economic policy, E.g. most use Euro
      • NAFTA (1994)
        • removal of trade barriers between US, Canada and Mexico
        • Unlike EU, less common laws, no common external trade policy so far less integrated
        • Free Trade Area
    • Role of Trade and Commerce as a development influence
      • Every country involved in trade in some way
      • Many argue it is the best way of developing as it gives economic independence (not reliant on trade)
        • Also how many NICs (e.g. Asian tigers and China's exports of steel etc.) and all MEDCs developed (but arguably couldn't be repeated as they exploited poor countries during colonialism)
        • Many LDCs and LEDCs struggle with this due to natural disasters, high prevelance of AIDS etc., such as Malawi or Haiti, so are more reliant on aid
      • Fair trade suggested as the best compromise between trade and aid
      • Idea of microcredit beginning trade for small businesses to encourage the economic development and  trade in an area which, in turn, increases standard or living and quality of life
      • Developed countries export goods of a much higher Tec, e.g. medicines and aircrafts, so therefore have a far greater GDP than the developing countries that export raw materials or low cost products, e.g. crude oil or plastic products
      • Protectionist Policy (putting up high trade barriers) often hurts the economy by limiting the desirability to export there and decreasing competition between countries
    • Globalisation's influence on trade
      • TNCs, e.g. Walmart encourage mixing of cultures and investing (FDI) into many countries, generally encouraging development
      • Trade increasing due to increased interconnection since the end of WWII, increased communications etc.
      • Increased use of Mobile Phones (leapfrogging of tec) allows increased banking, education, and helps farmers get best price for crops- this is much cheaper than installing phone lines
      • some of the least developed countries excluded from trade agreements etc. and are simply exploited by TNCs without receiving benefits as profits go to MEDC
      • Multiplier effect of increased trade in developing countries allows te economy to grow, increased jobs leads to more business with local industry etc.
    • Groupings in relation to development continuum
      • Trade=higher GDP and therefore economic stimulus so LEDCs/NICs desire trade agreements with MEDCs
      • MEDCs are more able to pick and choose trade agreements so enter them with countries with desirable trade items
        • It's argued that this means that MEDCs can exploit the poorer countries which are more vulnerable
      • By entering into something like the WTO, the import and export of goods is regulated and certain standards (e.g. regarding the environment) have to be met so trade is more reliable
        • It's been argued that this has led to the exploitation of LEDC/NIC as the desires of MEDCs are prioritised due to their greater influence
    • Consequences of groupings
      • Increased trade within the trade bloc
      • Decreased trade with those outside of the trade bloc
      • Common policies can protect the economies of member countries
      • A greater chance of peace due to international understanding
      • Possibility of developing common currency, e.g. euro, which will prevent large fluctuations and simplifies trade
      • Increased economic development for nations involved
      • Remote regions and areas with declining industry may receive support , e.g. EU Regional Development Fund
      • Greater democratic function and better global representation via working with larger countries
      • Improved global security, e.g. NATO is an international force of soldiers who carry out various duties inc. peacekeeping in conflict zones
      • Particular sectors of an economy can be protected, e.g. agriculture protected by Common Agricultural Policy in the EU
      • Presure to adopt central legislation means a loss of power to make decisitons to a central alliance
      • Richer countries may find that they put more in than they get out, e.g. UK contributed £4 billion to portugals bailout in 2011
      • Trade with nations outside the alliance will possibly be reduced, this is especially damaging to LEDCs
      • some financial controls will go to a central authority so lose control over their economy

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