Abstract
In this paper, I argue that there is no essential inconsistency between a well-constructed free trade policy and environmental sound development. From an examination of the concept of “free trade,” I argue that “free trade” must mean “environmentally sustainable trade.” The argument is conceptual in nature. I argue that free trade must mean trade free of subsidies in which the price of a good fairly reflects the costs of its production. I then argue that environmentally unsustainable commodity trade is in fact “subsidized.” Therefore, the international regulation of this trade would be consistent with the goal of free trade. Moreover, such regulation could promote both environmental conservation and the long-run interest of developing countries. However, ethical and practical considerations demand that these regulations must be structured so that they do not have a negative short-term economic impact on developing countries. A mechanism to implement this policy is suggested.
Similar content being viewed by others
Additional information
Notes 1. Work on this project was funded by a grant from George Mason University's International Institute.
Roger Paden is an assistant professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. His areas of special research interest include environmental ethics, social and political philosophy, and developmental ethics.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paden, R. Free trade and environmental economics. Agric Hum Values 11, 47–54 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01534448
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01534448