"We must accept that the world is changing. With the click of a button, financial transactions now occur across oceans in seconds. To thrive in this new environment, we must lower trade barriers and allow competitive markets to coordinate production globally."
��� Representative Jim Kolbe, speech on the House floor during debates over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), 1993
Which of the following late-twentieth-century developments is most directly reflected in the ideas expressed in this speech?
- AThe reinstatement of high protective tariffs to support domestic manufacturing.
- BThe expansion of federal social welfare programs to combat economic inequality.
- The integration of international markets and the promotion of free-trade agreements.Answer
- DThe creation of military alliances to contain the global spread of communism.
Answer
The integration of international markets and the promotion of free-trade agreements.
The correct answer is correct because the speech directly supports the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by calling for lower trade barriers and global market coordination. This reflects the broader late-twentieth-century shift toward globalization and economic integration.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Economic globalization and the digital revolution in the late 20th century facilitated the rapid flow of capital, goods, and information across national borders, leading to the negotiation of free-trade agreements like NAFTA.
Estimated Time:1m 0s