Did you ever notice the parallel between parking-space-saver policy (those chairs and orange traffic cones people use as space savers after a snowstorm) and international free trade policy?
Free trade: Theoretically, free trade opens up markets and increases the size of the pie for everyone. But it’s a huge gamble, and lots of people’s instincts lean toward protecting domestic markets. Especially if their job or their regional economy is at risk when trade patterns shift.
Parking: Banning space savers theoretically expands the availability of parking throughout the day. But again, a gamble, with the instinct to try to protect the space you cleared out.
Opinions on both issues tend to vary based on your situation — do you work in a manufacturing job that is at risk? Do you park on a crowded street? — as well as social/political groups. More conservative, old-school, old-neighborhood folks tend to favoring protecting jobs, markets, parking spaces.
As a question of political strategy (and neighborhood etiquette) I think it’s useful to think about this …. space-savers might seem like a minor issue, but it’s a real opportunity for understanding…… How does one’s perception of risk affect one’s political views? And why do people whose jobs (or parking spaces) are most at risk tend toward conservative approaches….
I tend to agree, though it seems usually liberals are calling for it. Personally, my free-trade sympathies come from a set of values I see as liberal.
Good point, not a pure red vs. blue issue. Actually, I think the leadership of both parties tend toward free trade, and recent presidents (Bush Sr., Clinton, George W., Obama) have supported free trade agreements. But a lot of voters (left, right and center) are nervous about it. And I think Hilary Clinton and Joe Biden, and maybe some others, as 2016 candidates, lean toward protecting markets.
Here’s a website that matches up parties, candidates, presidents and others with issues.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Democratic_Party_Free_Trade.htm
Also, the Pew Center’s political typology suggests that the “stedfast conservative” might oppose free trade but the “business conservative” might favor it. http://www.people-press.org/2014/06/26/the-political-typology-beyond-red-vs-blue/