In the real world, borders are far more open to professionals than to unskilled workers. In bizarro left world, on the other hand...
Dean Baker @DeanBaker13
2 Jun 2018
There's less of a difference, but I would like to remove the protectionist barriers in these professions also. Our most highly educated workers should be able to enjoy the same sort of international competition as autoworkers and textile workers
3
19
His point is that the US makes it hard for lawyers and accountants to immigrate or sell their services across the border. It is incorrect.
1
The T-shirt has to clear customs. Legal services don't. If it's easier to trade in goods than in services it's not because of protectionism.
1
Replying to @alon_levy @mikecherepko
That feels like a narrow definition of protectionism. Why distinguish between types of barriers to trade for what can qualify as protectionism?

Jun 2, 2018 · 5:33 PM UTC

1
Replying to @davidbaron @mikecherepko
Because "law schools in Mexico teach Mexican law, which is different from American law" is not a form of protectionism.
3
But I would argue that "you can't have a California lawyer design form-based legal advice for Californians and then have it distributed by a Canadian company -- you have to have a qualified California lawyer dispense legal advice to every client" is a form of protectionism.
1
more replies