Globalization has been taunted as a positive development due to the increased interconnectivity of many parts of the world. However, like many such developments, there are upsides and downsides to it. One of the major disadvantages of globalization to the American economy in particular is the proliferation of products that have been imported from other countries. This affects the market for American produced products. This paper will make arguments supporting the promotion of buying of products that are made in the United States of America. Many studies have been carried out to investigate the preferences of American consumers and the trends in American markets as regards the use of American made products. This paper will make use of such studies and writings to support its arguments (Zuckerman, 27).
Employment forms an important aspect of any economy, and America’s is no different. Unemployment has adverse effects on many other sectors of the economy. Buying products made in the United States of America is important to maintain high levels of employment in the country. In effect, purchasing products made in other countries means that it is the employment in those countries that is being promoted by such actions. Loss of jobs in the United States will result from purchasing goods made in other countries, and the adverse effects that result from unemployment such as increased crime rates will affect all members of the society (Zuckerman, 27).
Manufacturing is an important sector of the American economy. Growth of American manufacturing depends on Americans purchasing American produced products. Purchasing products produced in other countries implies that American manufacturing will have to reduce its capacity that is taken up by imported goods. It is estimated that manufacturing accounts for 11% of the United States economy and employs 12% of the workforce. Manufacturing also provides employment for the bulk of American middle class. Buying products from other countries will impact the lives of these workers who will lose their livelihoods. American manufacturing would decline if more American consumers started using imported products. This would imply that future generations of Americans would not be able for find employment. Consuming products made in the United States therefore, in effect, secures future employment opportunities for Americans (Zuckerman, 27).
Closely related to manufacturing is the effect that imports have on the national economy. When imports to an economy exceed its exports, there will be a balance of trade deficit. This means that the economy will be spending more than it earns. The effects of a balance of trade deficit are numerous, but one of the major implications is that the government will be forced to borrow as a way of covering the trade balance deficit. Large scale borrowing by the government is more often than not unsustainable, and debt is known to have long term negative effects on the economy (Miller and Kelli, 104; Zuckerman, 27).
Many startup companies have had success in America because it offers incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation. Innovation is one of the greatest assets that the United States prides itself in. This innovation is anchored on the understanding that the products that are developed from such innovation will find a market in America. This is a reason to buy products made in America, since doing so promotes American innovation that has been a principal factor in the development of the country as an economic power. Purchasing products that have been manufactured in other countries in effect means promoting innovation in those countries. Shifting innovation from the United States to other nations will have long term effects of shifting entrepreneurship to other nations (Miler and Kelli, 104).
It is an established fact that products that are manufactured in the United States are of higher quality than those from many other countries. High standard products are the hallmark of American production. Though most of the imported goods that compete with American products are cheap, more often than not they are of a lower quality. Buying American products is an affirmation of the superiority of American products, and promotion of better production mechanisms available in the country. By purchasing and using products that are made in the United States, consumers fight the proliferation of poor quality products in the American economy. Cheap low quality products, while attractive in the short run, will get used up or broken within a short time. They will contribute to the problem of pollution since disposal of such requires resources. It can be argued that low cheap products will have a long term effect on the American environment (Miller and Kelli, 105; Nelson, 7).
The low prices for products imported to the United States are as a result of lower manufacturing costs in the countries that produce those goods. These low manufacturing costs are as a result of low standards of operation because in many of those countries do not have laws to protect workers from exploitative wages and pollution. Most of these products are produced by workers who are underpaid and exploited using processes that give no thought to protection of the environment. This violates the notion of fairness in international trade since products made in the United States will be of higher quality and higher price competing against low priced and low quality products. Consuming products made in the United States will discourage the exploitation of workers in other countries and the protection of the environment, since it will be a demand for higher standards from other nations that produce products that are imported to the United States (Philips, 11).
Closely related to poor working conditions is the violation of human rights in the production of cheap imports that are sold in America. In some economies, there is use of child labor in the production of goods for import. This is especially so in countries in Asia and Africa, where children are denied their right to education so that they can provide cheap, and sometimes free labor for the production of goods for export to the United States. In some nations, production is through forced labor, and this is a violation of human rights such workers. Purchasing products imported from such economies is an indirect support to these human rights violations, and efforts should be made to see to it that such situations are brought to an end. Americans cannot make a claim of upholding human rights and freedoms if they continue consuming products that are produced through violation of human rights in other nations. Boycotting such products will in effect send a strong signal to such violators of human rights that such actions cannot be tolerated. American products are produced within established laws and regulations that protect the rights and freedoms of workers; a reason why use of products made in America should be promoted (Nelson, 7).
Patriotism is a reason why consumers should purchase products manufactured in the United States. Many retail chains like Wal-Mart have called upon their consumers to be patriotic and buy only products made in America, and have gone ahead and committed funds to hundreds of billions to stock up on products that are made in America (“Wal-Mart Gaining Steam with Made-In-U.S. Push”). It can therefore be argued that purchasing products made in the United States is a sign of patriotism and such consumers will have displayed the best interests of the nation. Patriotism, for most Americans should mean that they would consider only purchasing products made in the United States first before considering products from other countries. A survey conducted by Gallup poll showed that six of every ten Americans were willing to pay a higher price for a product made in the United States if it kept jobs in the country. Similar survey have shown that Americans generally do not mind paying higher prices for made in America products since they believe that such products are of higher quality than imported competitors (Jones, 2, American Made Matters Day: A Call-to-Action for American Consumers, 1)
Democracy is an ideal that the United States seeks to uphold and promote. America also seeks to spread democracy to other nations in other parts of the world so that citizens in those nations can enjoy the rights and freedoms that are assured in a democracy. Purchasing products made in America promotes the spread of democracy by the United States. Consuming American products grows the economy and the United States has more resources available to it that can be utilized in the spread of democracy. Similarly, purchasing products that are imported from countries that do not practice democracy is an indirect support to undemocratic regimes of those countries. Economies that grow on other ideas other than democracy will not see the importance of changing their systems and assuring the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Buying made in America products therefore indirectly helps in the spread of democracy throughout the world (Marx, 65).
In an era where issues about climate change as a result of green house gases emission are on the fore, it is important that Americans consume locally produced products. Importation of goods from other countries involves shipping from such nations to American ports, then moving those products using land transport to various parts of the United States where they are finally consumed. Transportation uses fossil fuels that contribute to global warming and climate change. It is already an established fact that the long term effects of climate change are disastrous. Efforts should be made to reduce carbon emissions to the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels in the transportation of goods to the American market. One way to deal with this is to consume more made in America goods. This will reduce the need to use fossil fuels to transport goods to the United States; such a reduction will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions to the atmosphere, and may have long term benefits in the reversal of climate change (Benitez-Eves, 29).
The United States has made great strides in an effort to increase the use of clean energy. Huge resources have been committed to the development of new sources of energy. Energy is an important factor of production and is a major cost for many manufacturers. This means that for most of the products that are produced in the United States, clean energy is likely used (though not always). The same cannot be said of the countries that produce products to compete with American made products. In some economies like China and India, there is overdependence of the use of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum for production. Efforts by these economies to shift to the use of clean energy are very little or nonexistent. Pollution and destruction of the environment occurs as a result. Consuming products made in America is a promotion of the use of clean energy, and avoiding imports from nations that have no regard for the protection of the environment will send a message that it is time they changed their energy sources to clean ones (“Made in America Product Spotlight” 65; Wiley, John and Sons, 1).
Products that are imported from other nations to the American market may be cheap than those produced in the country. However, price should not be the only consideration that consumers should make when making purchases, and as outlined, it is important to consume products made in America. This will protect both current and future American jobs, promote protection of the environment and enhance the production of products of high standards. It will also indirectly promote the spread of democracy in the world and promote the observation of human rights in countries that produce goods for the American market. Innovation and entrepreneurship in America will also be promoted, American manufacturing will be stirred to growth and the economy will avoid lapsing into adverse long term debts. Consuming products made in America is also a display of patriotism. Arguments made in this article should convince Americans of the need to consume and promote American made products.
Works Cited
Benitez-Eves, Tina. "American Grade." Gifts & Decorative Accessories 115.7 (2014): 29. Master FILE Premier. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Fresh Produce Celebrates 30 Years of American-Made Styles." Business Wire (English) Feb. 2007: Regional Business News. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Jones, Jeffrey M. "Patriotism, Jobs Primary Motivations for 'Buying American'." Gallup Poll Briefing (2013): 2.Business Source Complete. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.
"Made In America Product Spotlight." Souvenirs, Gifts, & Novelties 51.5 (2014): 64-67. Business Source Complete.Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Marx, Patricia. "Made In U.S.A." New Yorker 85.5 (2009): 64-69. Literary Reference Center.Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Miller, Richard K., and Kelli Washington."Part Iii: Behavioral Analyses: 16.Buying American-Made." Consumer Behavior (2014): 104-107. Small Business Reference Center.Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
Nelson, Christina. "American And Chinese Consumers Will Pay More For "Made In USA." “China Business Review” 40.1 (2013): 7. “Business Source Complete.”Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
Phillips, Jim. "Consumer Demand Spurs Made In USA Resurgence." Textile World 163.2 (2013): 10-11.Business Source Complete. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
"American Made Matters Day: A Call-to-Action for American Consumers." PR Newswire US 09 Sept. 2013: Regional Business News. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Wal-Mart Gaining Steam with Made-In-U.S. Push." WWD: Women's Wear Daily 208.6 (2014): 1. Business Source Complete.Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
Wiley, John and Sons. "“Re-Made in the USA” Author Urges Americans to Celebrate and Support American-Made Products this Memorial Day." Business Wire (English) 5: Regional Business News. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Zuckerman, Mortimer B. "Declining Wages Are Killing the American Dream." U.S. News Digital Weekly 17 Oct. 2014: 27. MasterFILE Premier.Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
