Pat Buchanan is a Conservative Candidate for the U.S. Presidency

Most economists concede that protectionism is necessity for developing countries: "No national economy has taken stumble under conditions of free trade" (Cockbum 21). Although protectionism appears to work for developing countries, most(prenominal) economists contend that it would prove disastrous for a developed terra firma like the United States. As unmatched economist notes, Buchanan's proposed tariffs on outside(prenominal) imports "ignores an immutable law of economics: If you increase the harm of something, you'll get less of it" (Norton 63). Thus increase tariffs on foreign imports would inevitably lead to a reduction in much(prenominal) products and a decrease in anticipated tariff revenues. Concomitantly, the countries targeted by tariffs would likely retaliate against American exports.

Economists point to the lessons of history as evidence that the kind of protectionism that Buchanan advocates would lead to economic disaster in the United States. Argentina, India, and the U.S.S.R. have all resorted to protectionism against competition at one time in their histories--with disastrous results. Likewise, protectionism in U.S. history likewise failed miserably. In the words of the current Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, "The 1920-38 menstruum was a perfect test of Buchanan-omics. What followed was depression and war."

Another persuasion of Buchanan's protectionist policies is stringent curbs on immigration. Buchanan estimates the arrive of legal and illegal immigrants in the United Stat

es at between 25 million and 30 million, a number sufficient enough to create a "constant descending(prenominal) pressure on return." Buchanan's solution: "If you tighten the labor market, wages will rise" (Business Week 57). Buchanan's plans for curbing immigration implicate putting a five-year moratorium on legal immigration. The only exceptions to this moratorium would be the spouses and children of citizens. Buchanan also proposes doubling the ranks of the Border Patrol and building a security fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Although Buchanan has failed to gain the endorsement of the leaders of powerful groups like the Christian Coalition, he has nonetheless garnered epochal grassroots support. As one journalist observes, " . . .

Buchanan [is] touching legion(predicate) nerves" (Cockbum 21). Although the Christian Coalition has thrown its support coffin nail Bob Dole and his "old-fashioned" political message (as attest by his attack on Hollywood's explicit sexual and furiousness content) many Christian political leaders fear that Buchanan has a claim to its constituency and that he is capable of creating a revolt of the subject matter vote (Blumenthal 39).

Although Buchanan favors improving the status of the American working class, he disfavors doing so by increasing the minimum wage. Buchanan believes that this economic dodging would simply encourage more American business organization owners to exit their manufacturing plants to foreign countries. In Buchanan's opinion, small business is creating the jobs that replace those creation lost by corporate downsizing; since small business would be the most adversely affected by increasing the minimum wage, it would be counterproductive to do so.

Norton, Rob. "Dumb--and Dumber." Fortune, (1995, December 11), 63.

Buchanan's positive statements have ex-communicated him from the conservative movement in the Republican Party. Buchanan rails against his fellow Republicans for "selling out" the conservative cause. Of Dole, Buchanan states, "B
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