I would like an explanation of free trade geared toward a middle
schooler (12-14 years of age).  Please include the theories regarding
the benefits of free trade and also the controversies.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 08 Jan 2005 17:47 PST

I'm not sure how much material you're after, or exactly what would be
appropriate for a 12-14 year old.  However, have a look at "The Pros
and Cons of Free Trade" at:


http://www.southerncenter.org/la_feb01_trade.pdf


and let me know if this is on target.  If it is, what other materials
would you like to make for a complete answer to your question?


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by will429-ga on 10 Jan 2005 21:14 PST

The site you found was very good, but if you could find some
definitions of key terms (along with examples -- those are always
helpful for understanding concepts).  For example, comparative
advantage, protectionism, functionalism, and NTBs would be more
clearly understood with some examples.

Thank you so much.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Jan 2005 13:00 PST

This is probably more than you bargained for (94 pages worth!):


http://www.washington.edu/wto/classroom/WTOEducation.pdf


but it has a lot of material, discusses free trade controversies, has
examples throughout and a glossary in the back.

Let me know if it's on-target for your needs.

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by will429-ga on 11 Jan 2005 21:52 PST

Whew!  That was looong!  But excellent.  I think it pretty much covers
everything.  One last thing -- and if you can't find it I'll
understand -- is an explanation of these concepts using diagrams or
pictures showing the movement of goods in a 'comparative advantage'
situation.

This is the first time I've done this -- how do you get paid and I
signal that I have gotten an "answer"?

Thanks so much for your help!

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 12 Jan 2005 05:32 PST

will429-ga,

Glad to hear we're making progress.

As for illustrations, most of the graphics on comparative advantage
are of the mathematical kind, and I suspect that's not what you're
looking for.

However, there is the occasional more casual figure, such as the ones on this page:


http://www.landandfreedom.org/econ/econ17act.htm



If these meet your needs, let me know, and I'll post the information
as a formal answer to your question, so I can collect the fee, and you
can carry on with your middle-schooler's project.

All the best,

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by will429-ga on 13 Jan 2005 17:06 PST

Thanks so much.  I think that's enough information.  Go ahead and post as an answer.

will429-ga,

Thanks so much...I'm glad this information worked out for you.

Here...to make it all official...are the links to the information on
comparative advantage that I provided earlier:


http://www.southerncenter.org/la_feb01_trade.pdf


http://www.washington.edu/wto/classroom/WTOEducation.pdf


http://www.landandfreedom.org/econ/econ17act.htm



Again, all the best.


pafalafa-ga