Free Trade Doesn’t Mean Democracy
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* Re “China Deserves Access to Global Economy,” Orange County Voices column by James L. Doti and Esmael Adibi, Nov. 28:
Jim Doti and Esmael Adibi argue that China deserves access to the global economy. They suggest that failure to do so increases China as a threat to the U.S.
Aren’t they forgetting that U.S. companies in their eagerness to do business with China gave crucial technical information that improved the guidance systems of China’s missiles?
Trading with nations that give little credence to human rights, labor rights or environmental protection does not further the cause of any of these crucial issues. Numerous examples, such as Indonesia, show that free trade does not promote democracy.
Although Doti runs a university well and Adibi is a good prognosticator of Orange County’s economy, they need to leave international relations to others.
KARL REITZ
Department of Sociology
Chapman University
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