Fred Smith

Boycotts and other economic sanctions against sweatshops hurt, rather than help, workers in developing nations, Fred Smith claims in the following viewpoint. According to Smith, boycotts limit the economic opportunities for families in Asia and Latin America by closing down factories or preventing children—whose families need the income—from working. He argues that urbanization and industrialization are needed to improve economic conditions in the Third World. Smith is the founder of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which provides market-based solutions to public policy problems.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Smith’s opinion, what are the consequences of successful boycotts?
2. How has the American belief in egalitarianism been subverted, according to the author?
3. According to Smith, what is the goal of liberal protectionists?

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