I try to make the classic case for free trade in an article about outsourcing to India.

In fact, a good way to attain clarity in discussing the issue of outsourcing is to substitute the phrase “economic activity” for outsourcing:

  • There sure has been an increase in economic activity with India lately.
  • Aren’t you afraid that you could lose your job to economic activity?
  • The Congressman has introduced a bill that he promises will stop economic activity.

For Discussion. Most of the comments where the essay was posted, as well as several emails I received, suggest that the point was not well taken. Is there a new argument to be made against free trade in white-collar labor services, or is there an old argument that carries new force?