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While I agree with the general premise that the rest of the world subsidizes the US to a degree, I don't think IP is an example of that. Countries are perfectly
by BobbyJo 5y ago
While I agree with the general premise that the rest of the world subsidizes the US to a degree, I don't think IP is an example of that. Countries are perfectly capable of saying no to US IP laws, but they don't because the trade that comes with saying yes is well worth it to them.
Where the US gets subsidized is our currency. The dollar, for the last 50 years, has been such a stable and useful tool for trade, that demand for it allows the US to run and import/export deficit via its printing. Foreign labor is cheap in dollar denominated terms, which allows US citizens to trade their own labor for several times what it is worth.
I think this is a lesson every US citizen should pay attention to when they advocate radical change: a big part of your lifestyle is paid for by stability.
- robocat 5y ago> but they don't because the trade that comes with saying yes is well worth it to them Negotiating to give our products/services to the US, in an asymmetric bargaining position. I am quite the supporter of market driven economies, and I realise how much we gain, but please don’t ignore that the US very strongly negotiates to its own benefit and that small countries have relatively little leverage.