Patrick J. Buchanan argues that free trade is destroying the United States. He is
particularly concerned with the loss of
U.S. workers’ traditional industrial jobs to overseas countries, a trend he feels undermines the U.S. middle class. He argues for a return to higher tariffs to protect U.S. industries and for an end to the country’s membership in mutual trade pacts and organizations such as the United Nations. Many readers, especially those in business and top management, may find his basic premises flawed, even irrational, since his
arguments seem as if he wants to turn back the clock. These ideas appear considerably out of touch with the realities of modern technology,
particularly since he sees multinational and transnational corporations as a threat to American society, rather than as sources of new possibilities. He doesn’t acknowledge the alternative of retraining displaced workers. Buchanan advocates an isolationist United States which exists in a protected cocoon. He also seems to want career women to return to the home. If he is planning to run for the U.S. Presidency again, this book will not help. Nonetheless, getAbstract recommends this book to those who are curious about this political figure’s views or who wish to examine his arguments against free trade.