NationStates Jolt Archive


auto imports

16-01-2004, 12:42
Auto Industry Struggles Against Foreign Imports
The Issue

Cheap, foreign-made cars are becoming increasingly popular, causing concern in Garialda's automobile manufacturing industry.
The Debate

1. "Unless this government does something, Garialda won't have an auto industry for much longer," says auto industry union boss Elizabeth Steele, in a rare public appearance alongside management. "These foreign companies employ people for a few Godarwins a day. The only way to level the playing field is to raise tariffs. The government would make more money, too, so it's win-win."
[Accept]

2. "For once, I agree with my grubby colleague here," says General Chassis CEO Faith Jones. "Although I have to say, tariffs aren't the only answer. A more effective solution would be to abolish minimum wage laws. Now that would level the playing field. And we'd be able to employ more--argh, let go of my throat!"
[Accept]

3. "I think we need to face facts," says noted economist and chat-show regular Falala Utopia. "We live in a global economy now, and automobile manufacturing just isn't Garialda's strong suit. There's no point taking money from taxpayers in order to line the pockets of a few greedy workers and corrupt managers in a doomed industry. Let the market takes its--argh, let go of my throat!"
[Accept]
Will any of these lower my economic freedoms? The Priest-King of Garialda has decreed that businesses have too much power, and that this power should decrease.
16-01-2004, 14:18
Number One doesn't lower any economic freedoms.
Number Two lowers civil rights by abolishing minimum wage laws
Number Three kills your automotive industry but does nothing your civil or economic freedoms
Emperor Matthuis
16-01-2004, 18:43
#1 Will just kill off your economy so if you want to limit it then just dismiss it or else you won't have an economy... :cry:
The Defeatists
16-01-2004, 19:57
Does nothing for you economic freedoms? Tariffs promote inefficiency by stiffling competition. Thus, it creates artificially high prices for consumers.

What it does for economic freedoms in the context of this game is highly debatable.
Nukevada
17-01-2004, 20:38
Number One doesn't lower any economic freedoms.
Number Two lowers civil rights by abolishing minimum wage laws
Number Three kills your automotive industry but does nothing your civil or economic freedoms

In my experience option 3 does indeed kill of your automotive industry (it can't compete with the cheap, foreign imports) but help your economy in the long run. By lowering tariffs you force your own industry to be more competitive and focus it's resources on products that are viable. Thus you lose your automotice industry, but strenghten others. What it does to your economic freedoms I'm not sure, but it raise your economy, so I'll say they're increased.