More protectionism...sigh
Looks like the UK is just as bad as the US at protectionism. Energy workers are on strike demanding that Total not be allowed to hire Italian workers at one of its plants. Never mind that Total is a French company investing in the UK; never mind that free movement of labour is guaranteed in the EU; never mind that twice as many British people work in the rest of Europe than vice versa. Apparently we are supposed to kick out a supplier with whom Total has freely contracted. Unfortunately this seems to be an example of rational ignorance in the political market. It requires a certain effort to educate oneself about an issue and make sufficient political fuss about it to influence anyone. The typical protectionist policy creates worthwhile benefits for a small consituency (let's say steelworkers) while the costs are spread among a far larger population. It's worth it for the steelworkers to run a campaign (or pay their unions to do so) to grab their $20,000 each; but too much tr...