Globalization - tariffs and subsidies, are they merely 'sophisticated' bribes?
One of the functions that I have in my new post is responding to questions and queries from persons across the globe who are trying to understand our particular approach to establishing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (with all that entails - including justice, mercy and equity).
Subsidies and tariffs are somewhat complex in the global economy since what they seem to do is either hedge and protect a certain group, or create space for a group to operate where they would otherwise not have the capacity to operate. So, for example, South Africa is very fortunate to be strong in agriculture. If there complete free trade it is likely that we could supply maize and wheat to Europe and the US that is both cheaper and possible of a higher quality (simply because we have an abundance of natural resources, arable land, and labour is much cheaper). However, because of subsidies in the European Union farmers in those regions have their products subsidised so that they can offer them at a much cheaper rate. The long and the short of such subsidies (in very broad generalizations) is that they keep the poor impoverished and do not take into account the necessity to spread wealth throughout the global economy (rather for political reasons it is kept within the wealthier regions).
The question that one would ask is whether God favours any one nation more than another? In God's economy would it be pleasing to God that some suffer while others prosper – even when they are both equally productive, faithful, and fruitful in their labours? So, the challenge is for those who make 'global deals' to keep God's picture of the world, and the world's economy in mind. It is quite possible that a well intended deal could have an extremely negative impact upon others elsewhere in the world. Of course my view is awash with generalizations and assumptions. The point is simply that one must consider the impact of one's choices, not just by economic measures, but by the measure of the standards of God's Kingdom and God's desired economy for ALL the persons on earth.