Protection

Background

Protection in economics refers to the measures and policies implemented by governments to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. This can be achieved through various means such as tariffs, import quotas, voluntary export restraints, and non-tariff barriers. The primary objective of such protections is to sustain domestic employment, increase revenues, and safeguard industries that might otherwise struggle against international competition.

Historical Context

Historically, protectionism became significantly prominent during periods when countries aimed to develop infant industries or during economic downturns when protecting domestic employment becomes critical. The mercantilist period of the 16th to 18th centuries saw widespread use of protectionism. Industrial policies in the post-World War II era revived interest in protection to rebuild economies through focused development of specific sectors.

Definitions and Concepts

The term protection broadly encompasses any trade policy tool used by a government to restrict imports and hence protect domestic industries. The main instruments of protection include:

Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods to make them more expensive compared to locally produced items.
Import Quotas: Limits on the amount of a particular product that can be imported, thereby capping supply and often maintaining higher prices for domestic goods.
Voluntary Export Restraints (VERs): Agreements between exporting and importing countries where the exporter agrees to limit the quantity of goods exported to the importing country.
Non-tariff Barriers: These include a range of measures like quality standards, safety regulations, or labeling requirements that make it more difficult or costly for imports to compete in the domestic market.

Major Analytical Frameworks

Classical Economics

Classical economists generally advocate for free trade and minimal intervention in markets. However, they acknowledge that temporary protection might be necessary for industries to develop competitive advantage.

Neoclassical Economics

Neoclassical economics emphasizes the efficiency of markets, yet recognizes the strategic role of protection in certain circumstances to correct market imperfections or externalities.

Keynesian Economic

Keynesian theory supports interventions like tariffs in scenarios where there is underutilization of resources and high unemployment, arguing that protection can help stimulate domestic demand and reduce economic vulnerabilities.

Marxian Economics

From a Marxian perspective, protection can serve as a tool for the capitalist state to maintain control over labor and resources within its own economic purview.

Institutional Economics

Institutional economics focuses on how institutions shape economic behavior and may view protection as necessary to foster the development of robust domestic institutions that can eventually compete globally.

Behavioral Economics

Behavioral economists might study the psychological and informational factors leading to protectionist policies, such as the impact of risk aversion and national identity.

Post-Keynesian Economics

Post-Keynesian scholars might argue for the strategic role of protection in achieving sustainable development and managing economic inequities within different sectors.

Austrian Economics

Austrian economics typically opposes protectionism, emphasizing the spontaneous order and benefits of free markets, though might consider transitional protections permissible under certain contexts.

Development Economics

Protection is often justified in development economics for nascent industries in developing countries needing a shield from the competitive pressures of established foreign producers.

Monetarism

Monetarist perspectives might critique protectionist policies for distorting market efficiencies, focusing on how these interventions impact money supply and demand dynamics.

Comparative Analysis

Comparing the various economic schools of thought, it’s evident that while some view protection as a necessary strategy under special conditions, others believe that such measures ultimately impede market efficiency and long-term growth.

Case Studies

India’s Automotive Sector: Illustrating the use of tariffs and import quotas to nurture domestic automobile manufacturers until they achieved competitive parity globally.
US Steel Industry: Examples of how the U.S. has recurrently applied tariffs to protect its steel industry from foreign competition, with varying levels of success and controversy.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

“Protection and Liberalization: A Review of Analytical Issues” by Jambangwa Enyewe & W. Martin Hammer Houben
“Trade Policy: Theory and Practice” by W. E. Griggs Kleinbach

Tariffs: Taxes imposed on goods when they are moved across a political boundary.
Import Quotas: Direct limitations on the quantity of a good that can be imported into a country.
Non-tariff Barriers: Policies and regulations other than tariffs that countries use to control the amount of trade across their borders.
Voluntary Export Restraints: A self-imposed limitation by an exporting country on the volume of its exports to another country.