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Protectionism for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: prə'tɛkʃə,nɪzəm

What does Protectionism really mean?

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Hey there! So, I heard you're curious about the word "protectionism." No problem at all, I'll break it down for you in the simplest way possible.

Picture this - imagine you have a favorite toy. It's special to you, right? You want to make sure that toy is safe and protected from any harm. Well, that's just like what protectionism means, but instead of toys, it's about protecting things in a country, like goods or industries.

When a country practices protectionism, it means that they want to shield their own businesses and industries from competition with other countries. They do this by imposing certain rules or barriers that make it harder for goods and services from outside their country to come in.

It's a way of giving special attention and support to their own businesses, kind of like giving them a protective shield. This can be done using things like tariffs (which are like taxes on imported goods), import quotas (which restrict the amount of goods that can be imported), or even subsidies (which are like special money given to their own businesses to help them compete).

Now, protectionism can have both positive and negative effects. On one hand, it can help protect local businesses and industries from being overwhelmed by cheaper products from other countries. This can then support the growth of these industries, which can create more job opportunities for people in that country.

On the other hand, protectionism may also make goods more expensive for consumers, as there are fewer options available. This can limit the choices people have and lead to higher prices. Additionally, it can sometimes discourage innovation and growth, as businesses may become complacent without competition pushing them to improve.

So, in a nutshell, protectionism is like creating a shield to protect a country's own businesses and industries from competition from other countries. It can help those businesses grow, but it can also limit consumer choices and discourage innovation. It's kind of like how you protect your favorite toy, but on a larger scale.

I hope that clears things up for you! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Revised and Fact checked by William Rodriguez on 2023-10-28 16:58:16

Protectionism In a sentece

Learn how to use Protectionism inside a sentece

  • When a country imposes high taxes on imported goods to encourage people to buy products made within the country, it is practicing protectionism. For instance, if a country puts a high tax on imported cars, it becomes more expensive for people to buy cars from other countries, and it encourages them to buy cars made in their own country.
  • Sometimes, governments put limits on how many foreign products can be brought into a country. This is also a form of protectionism. For example, if a country allows only a certain number of foreign-made toys to enter the market, it protects the local toy manufacturers by limiting the competition they face.
  • Protectionism can also be seen when a country gives special benefits or financial support to its local industries. For instance, if a government gives subsidies to its farmers, it helps them to produce goods more competitively than foreign farmers, which protects the local agricultural sector from foreign competition.
  • Another form of protectionism is setting regulations or standards that foreign products might not meet. For example, a country can require safety standards for toys that foreign manufacturers may not meet, which makes it difficult for those foreign toys to enter the market, protecting the local toy industry.
  • When a country enters into international trade agreements, it sometimes includes provisions that protect its industries from foreign competition, which is a form of protectionism. For example, a country may negotiate a trade deal that imposes restrictions on how much foreign steel can be imported, safeguarding its own steel industry.

Protectionism Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Protectionism Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.