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Earnest question (i.e. not implying that I'm arguing for the opposite) - why?
by scubbo 1y ago
Earnest question (i.e. not implying that I'm arguing for the opposite) - why?
- xboxnolifes 1y agoBecause it is actually possible to lose manufacturing knowledge over time. Manufacturing things in your country now allows you to more easily manufacture different things in your country in the future. It's a lot harder to make things if your manufacturing talent is spread across multiple countries, especially so if you're making anything that cannot use already commoditized components.
- happytoexplain 1y agoThe differences in economies and cultures on the international scale is a capitalism cheat code. We are morally and logically obligated to protect our citizens in all contexts. That doesn't mean "fuck everybody else". It only means prioritizing.
- scubbo 1y agoWhy is onshoring manufacturing "protecting our citizens"? As I think Matt Levine put it, if we can push computer buttons for a few hours a day and in exchange someone else in another country will do back-breaking labour to make real-world food and toys for us, isn't that a win for us?
- xp84 1y agoIt is, assuming a permanent and guaranteed peace. But in the event some of those countries our supply chains traverse decide to alter the deal, it could mean we suffer greatly since we depend on others so heavily - and eventually we might find we cannot make anything nontrivial domestically, as everyone who remembers how is dead. Defense is the most obvious area where you don’t want to be dependent on a country that might decide become an enemy for your military hardware, but maintaining more than just a defense manufacturing industry strengthens the country further.
- scubbo 1y agoMakes sense - thank you for explaining!
- deleted 1y ago[deleted]