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Protectionism Reveals Its True Colors

"Protectionism" ultimately rests upon the threat to use violence against innocent persons engaged in peaceful commerce.  Most of the time the coercive nature of protectionism is concealed — out of view — because consumers and producers harmed by it are deterred by the threat of violence from freely trading: the coercive nature of protectionism remains largely hidden.  The thieves persuade the state to perform the threats; it all looks so clean and antiseptic and ‘policy-ish.’

Sometimes, though, protectionism reveals its disfigured, snarling face and its nasty, swinging fists — as made plain by this NPR report on some French winemakers who are violently interfering with the commerce of innocent people for no reason other than to prevent consumers from patronizing other sellers.

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