Marx on free trade

[Brad De Long]

>Brad De Long wrote:
>
> > And just what bodies are those? Do they fly black helicopters?
> >
>
>The enforcement for NAFTA comes from the courts rather than the 
>black helicopters.
>
> > As I understood it, NAFTA was not self-enforcing. There are forums to
> > discuss (and apply sanctions) to countries that violate their NAFTA
> > obligations. But there is no super-sovereignty with jurisdiction over
> > U.S. citizens or organizations.
>
>As I understand, NAFTA has forums that you mentioned, which were sops to
>environmental and labor communities, and which were toothless.
>
>The more powerful provisions allow for the elimination of restraints 
>of trade, such
>as the Mexican state that wants to prevent the location of the toxic 
>waste dump,
>but faces legal action under NAFTA.

National courts enforce the *implementing legislation*. But the 
implementing legislation can be repealed or changed (in which case 
you face trade sanctions). National courts don't enforce the NAFTA.

The claim that national courts would enforce the NAFTA and that 
America had lost its "sovereignty" was a Buchananoid-Perotoid red 
herring...

Brad DeLong