economics is neither politically conservative, nor moderate, nor liberal. There are economists who are

Democrats, Republicans, libertarians, socialists, and members of every other political group you can name. Of

course, conservatives may tend to emphasize the virtues of markets and the limitations of government, while

liberals may tend to emphasize the shortcomings of markets and the need for government programs. Such

differences only illustrate that the language and terminology of economics is not limited to one set of political

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18.3 • Flaws in the Democratic System of Government 445

beliefs, but can be used by all.

BRING IT HOME

Chinese Tire Tariffs
In April 2009, the union representing U.S. tire manufacturing workers filed a request with the U.S. International

Trade Commission (ITC), asking it to investigate tire imports from China. Under U.S. trade law, if imports from a
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