FINC495 Week 1 Discussion 1

The liberalization of international trade is an observable fact in the world today and free trade, based upon Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage, is one of the goals of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The theory of comparative advantage suggests that all countries would benefit from free trade. So, if free trade is such a good thing, why have thousands of individuals protested at WTO meetings - most famously in November 1999 in Seattle? Are these people misinformed or do they have a valid (or at least arguable) point?