Believe Quote by Richard Cobden
“I believe that the harm which Mill has done to the world by the passage in his book on Political Economy in which he favours the principle of Protection in young communities, has outweighed all the good which may have been caused by his other writings.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Principles of Free Trade, 1844
Cobden argues that Mill's advocacy for protectionism harmed young economies more than his other contributions helped.
In simple terms: Mill's protectionist ideas hurt young economies.
Key Takeaway
Beware of protectionist policies.
Themes
economics
trade
policy
history
impact
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- government trade policy
- development aid
- industrial strategy
- education reform
Key Concepts
protectionism
free trade
economic development
Questions to Reflect On
- Should protectionism ever be used to nurture new industries?
- How can we balance short‑term protection with long‑term growth?
A Different Perspective
Protectionism may sometimes be justified for strategic reasons.
