In the late 1960s, the 'I'm Backing Britain' campaign was launched - a campaign to encourage British consumers to buy British goods and services. The campaign was well-received: Union Jacks sprung up all over the place, newspapers were enthusiastic and even the government lent its support.
With the British economy in the doldrums, there have been calls to 'buy British.' The argument goes like this: buy British because the manufacturing sector is in dire need of a boost and people are losing their jobs. But, should we really be promoting economic nationalism?
My first objection is on ethical grounds. Yes, the British economy may be struggling - but so too are other economies. In all likelihood, a farmer in Brazil is probably suffering more than his equivalent in Britain. So, if we are 'buying British' to support struggling farmers, then perhaps it would make more sense to 'buy Brazilian' to support struggling Brazilian farmers.
Some may claim that our first and foremost duty is towards our own citizens. I ask - on what grounds? I certainly agree that a government has a duty to help its citizens - that's how global governance functions - each government helps its own people. But this duty does not extend to consumers. Consumers should buy their goods blind of what country it is produced in.
Even if you do not accept this line of thinking, then there is an economic case for not 'buying British.' If David Cameron proclaims that British consumers should buy British goods, how are other countries likely to react? They will naturally retaliate with a similar response - 'buy our goods not theirs.' Since the British economy relies on international trade, it shows that a 'buy British' campaign can be counter-productive.
With the British economy in the doldrums, there have been calls to 'buy British.' The argument goes like this: buy British because the manufacturing sector is in dire need of a boost and people are losing their jobs. But, should we really be promoting economic nationalism?
My first objection is on ethical grounds. Yes, the British economy may be struggling - but so too are other economies. In all likelihood, a farmer in Brazil is probably suffering more than his equivalent in Britain. So, if we are 'buying British' to support struggling farmers, then perhaps it would make more sense to 'buy Brazilian' to support struggling Brazilian farmers.
Some may claim that our first and foremost duty is towards our own citizens. I ask - on what grounds? I certainly agree that a government has a duty to help its citizens - that's how global governance functions - each government helps its own people. But this duty does not extend to consumers. Consumers should buy their goods blind of what country it is produced in.
Even if you do not accept this line of thinking, then there is an economic case for not 'buying British.' If David Cameron proclaims that British consumers should buy British goods, how are other countries likely to react? They will naturally retaliate with a similar response - 'buy our goods not theirs.' Since the British economy relies on international trade, it shows that a 'buy British' campaign can be counter-productive.
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