Bastiat’s “Candlemakers’ Petition” Reveals the Folly of Protectionism, Tariffs
https://www.cato.org/blog/draft-bastiat
Understanding the Satirical Economic Critique
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/08/candle-makers-petition.asp
The Candlemakers’ Petition - Frédéric Bastiat (1801–1850)
a classical liberal economist who fought for economic freedom in 19th-century France.
https://fee.org/articles/the-candlemakers-petition/
我們蠟燭製造商正遭受外國競爭對手的不公平競爭。這家外國照明設備製造商擁有如此巨大的優勢，以至於他用產品充斥我們的國內市場，而且價格低得驚人。一旦這家外國公司出現在我們國家，我們所有的客戶都會拋棄我們，轉而選擇他。結果，整個國內照明產業徹底停滯不前。更糟的是，由於照明產業與許多其他國內產業息息相關，這些產業也受到了損害。這家毫不留情地與我們競爭的外國製造商，竟然是太陽本身！
以下是我們的請願書：請通過一項法律，強制關閉所有窗戶、天窗、百葉窗、窗簾和遮光簾——也就是說，關閉所有陽光能夠進入房屋的開口、孔洞和縫隙。這免費的陽光正在損害我們這些辛勤工作的蠟燭製造商的生意。我們一直以來都為國家做出了貢獻，出於感激之情，國家不應該在這個時候拋棄我們，讓我們遭受這種不公平的競爭。
我們希望各位先生不要將我們的請願書視為諷刺，也不要不聽取我們支持請願書的理由就予以拒絕。
首先，如果你們盡可能地限制人們獲得自然光，從而增加對人造光的需求，那麼所有國內製造商豈不是都會因此受到刺激？
例如，如果牛油消耗量增加，自然就會有更多的牛羊。如此一來，肉類、羊毛和皮革的產量也會增加。甚至連農業的基礎——肥料——也會增加。
其次，如果照明用油量增加，我們將擁有大片的橄欖樹林和葡萄園。
此外，我們的荒地將被松樹和其他產樹脂的樹木和植物覆蓋。這將吸引大量的蜜蜂，從而增加蜂蜜的產量。事實上，所有農業部門都將得到發展。
同樣的道理也適用於航運業。鯨油需求的增加將需要成千上萬艘捕鯨船。在不久的將來，這將造就一支足以捍衛國家榮譽、滿足蠟燭製造商及其他相關產業人士愛國情操的海軍。
燈具製造商——燭台、油燈、燭架、吊燈、水晶、青銅器等等——將尤其受到鼓舞。屆時，倉庫和展廳的規模將使我們如今的店鋪相形見絀。
沿海高地的樹脂採集者以及地下深處的煤礦工人，都將因更高的工資和更富裕的生活而歡欣鼓舞。事實上，先生們，我們請願的成功將改善我國每一位公民的生活狀況——從最富有的煤礦主到最貧窮的火柴銷售員。
由迪安·羅素翻譯並略作刪減，摘自弗雷德里克·巴斯夏選集第一卷。巴黎：吉約曼出版社，1863年，頁58-59。
We candlemakers are suffering from the unfair competition of a foreign rival. This foreign manufacturer of light has such an advantage over us that he floods our domestic markets with his product. And he offers it at a fantastically low price. The moment this foreigner appears in our country, all our customers desert us and turn to him. As a result, an entire domestic industry is rendered completely stagnant. And even more, since the lighting industry has countless ramifications with other native industries, they, too, are injured. This foreign manufacturer who competes against us without mercy is none other than the sun itself!
Here is our petition: Please pass a law ordering the closing of all windows, skylights, shutters, curtains, and blinds — that is, all openings, holes, and cracks through which the light of the sun is able to enter houses. This free sunlight is hurting the business of us deserving manufacturers of candles. Since we have always served our country well, gratitude demands that our country ought not to abandon us now to this unequal competition.
We hope that you gentlemen will not regard our petition as mere satire, or refuse it without at least hearing our reasons in support of it.
First, if you make it as difficult as possible for the people to have access to natural light, and thus create an increased demand for artificial light, will not all domestic manufacturers be stimulated thereby?
For example, if more tallow is consumed, naturally there must be more cattle and sheep. As a result, there will also be more meat, wool, and hides. There will even be more manure, which is the basis of agriculture.
Next, if more oil is consumed for lighting, we shall have extensive olive groves and grape fields.
Also, our wastelands will be covered with pines and other resinous trees and plants. As a result of this, there will be numerous swarms of bees to increase the production of honey. In fact, all branches of agriculture will show an increased development.
The same applies to the shipping industry. The increased demand for whale oil will then require thousands of ships for whale fishing. In a short time, this will result in a navy capable of upholding the honor of our country and gratifying the patriotic sentiments of the candlemakers and other persons in related industries.
The manufacturers of lighting fixtures — candlesticks, lamps, candelabra, chandeliers, crystals, bronzes, and so on — will be especially stimulated. The resulting warehouses and display rooms will make our present-day shops look poor indeed.
The resin collectors on the heights along the seacoast, as well as the coal miners in the depths of the earth, will rejoice at their higher wages and increased prosperity. In fact, gentlemen, the condition of every citizen of our country — from the wealthiest owner of coal mines to the poorest seller of matches — will be improved by the success of our petition.
Translated and slightly condensed by Dean Russell from Selected Works of Frederic Bastiat, Volume 1. Paris: Guillaumin, 1863. pp. 58-59.
A Year of Rice in the Sacramento Valley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUhO0WJAtBQ
California is the 2nd largest rice-producing state
https://www.usarice.com/thinkrice/discover-us-rice/where-rice-grows/state/california
我們稻米製造商正遭受外國競爭對手的不公平競爭。這外國稻米製造商擁有如此巨大的優勢，以至於他們的稻米充斥我們的國內市場，而且價格低得驚人。一旦外國稻米出現在我們國家，我們所有的客戶都會拋棄我們，轉而選擇他。結果，整個國內外國稻米產業徹底停滯不前。更糟的是，由於外國稻米產業與許多其他國內產業息息相關，這些產業也受到了損害。這家毫不留情地與我們競爭的外國製造商，竟然是美國大規模農業機械化本身！
以下是我們的請願書：請通過一項法律，強制關閉進口外國米。這美國大規模農業機械化正在損害我們這些辛勤工作的稻米製造商的生意。我們一直以來都為國家做出了貢獻，出於感激之情，國家不應該在這個時候拋棄我們，讓我們遭受這種不公平的競爭。
