In a sense, the new protectionism is not protectionism at all, at least not in the traditi
It is precisely this profound skepticism of the market economy that is responsible for the protectionism. In a market economy, economic change of various color simplies redistribution of resources and incomes. The same opinion in many communities apparently is that such redistributions often are not proper. Therefore, the government intervenes to bring about a more desired result.
The victory of the welfare state is almost complete in northern Europe. In Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, government intervention in almost all aspects of economic and social life is considered normal. In Great Britain this is only somewhat less true. Government traditionally has played a very active role in economic life in France and continued to do so. Only West Germany dares to go against the tide towards excessive interventionism in Western Europe. It also happens to be the most successful Western European economy.
The welfare state has made significant progress in the United States as well as in Western Europe. Social security, unemployment insurance, minimum wage laws, and rent control are by now traditional welfare state elements on the America scene.
This passage is primarily concerned with discussing______.
A.the definition of the new protectionism
B.the difference between new and old protectionism
C.the emergence of the new protectionism in the Western world
D.the significance of the welfare state
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