Showing results for "The Trade" in Economic History

Trade disputes are usually understood as conflicts between countries with competing national interests, but as Matthew C. Klein and Michael Pettis show in this book, they are often the unexpected result of domestic political choices to serve the interests of the rich at the expense of workers and ordinary retirees. Klein and Pettis trace the origins of today's trade wars to decisions made by politicians and business leaders in China, Europe, and the United States over the past 30 years.

In A Splendid Exchange, William J. Bernstein tells the extraordinary story of global commerce from its prehistoric origins to the myriad controversies surrounding it today. He transports listeners from ancient sailing ships that brought the silk trade from China to Rome in the second century to the rise and fall of the Portuguese monopoly in spices in the 16th.

Global trade is of vital interest to citizens as well as policymakers, yet it is widely misunderstood. This compact exposition of the market forces underlying international commerce addresses both of these concerned groups, as well as the needs of students and scholars. Although it contains no equations, it is almost mathematical in its elegance, precision, and power of expression. Understanding Global Trade provides a thorough explanation of what shapes the international organization of production and distribution and the resulting trade flows.

Tariff Nation is both a map and a manual. Patrick J. Meyers takes you inside the forces that broke the postwar order—geopolitical rivalries, pandemic shocks, resource wars, and the rise of rival economic blocs. You’ll see why semiconductors are now a national security priority, why “just-in-time” has given way to “just-in-case,” and why tariffs are no longer relics of the past, but weapons of the present. Drawing on history, policy analysis, and real-world case studies, Tariff Nation reveals how nations, companies, and individuals can turn trade wars into opportunities.

America is a smuggler nation. Our long history of illicit imports has ranged from West Indies molasses and Dutch gunpowder in the 18th century, to British industrial technologies and African slaves in the 19th century, to French condoms and Canadian booze in the early 20th century, to Mexican workers and Colombian cocaine in the modern era. Contraband capitalism, it turns out, has been an integral part of American capitalism.

The convention and business events industry is a powerful economic engine, creating millions of jobs, billions in tax revenues, and hundreds of billions in business sales. Written by two industry veterans, this book tells the untold story of how an "invisible" industry grew into a trillion-dollar global powerhouse fueling business success across America.

From ancient Sumerian grain tablets to Roman coins, paper bills, digital wallets, and blockchain—What Is Money? is the clearest, most explosive breakdown of the one system we all live inside… and almost never question. This book doesn’t just explain money. It exposes it. Inside, you’ll discover: Why gold was never about value—it was about worship. How paper promises replaced vaults of truth. The role of kings, gods, banks, and empires in shaping what we spend. Why fiat currency is a magic trick—powered by belief. How credit, code, and crypto are rewriting the entire game.

In 1784, when Americans first voyaged to China, they confronted Chinese authorities who were unaware that the United States even existed. Nevertheless, a long, complicated, and fruitful trade relationship was born after American traders, missionaries, diplomats, and others sailed to China with lofty ambitions: to acquire fabulous wealth, convert China to Christianity, and even command a Chinese army. In America's First Adventure in China, John Haddad provides a colourful history of the evolving cultural exchange and interactions between these countries.