Adam Smith - The Wealth of Nations. The opposite approach? Give me a monopoly for ice cream and just the southwest quadrant. I'll jack up the price, sell lots in the summer, and enjoy winters south. Don't let any multinational dairy in. Cool.

This is a problem long studied, without great answers. So far in our generations we've been muddling along as a consortium of sorts, most of it based on free trade. Why should your sandals cost 40 bucks so Jack down the street can sew them, instead of bringing them in from some poor island.

As to inferior products, the end user rejects them. Put out the call for x and if you don't get it, don't pay.

Polysci and econ 101, not taken by most, and not understood in most contexts anyway. Global trade wars and protectionism don't work either.

John Conley
Musica est vita