Reply #19: You do realize that American wages and working conditions didn't improve till...

[Solon]

a bloodletting was done, right? How many workers died during the Robber Baron era again? It wasn't until unions started striking, and getting shot, by the U.S. army and Pinkerton's assholes that change started taking place. It was slow, too slow, to be frank, but with a combination of good ole fashioned rabble rousing and lobbying Congress, labor conditions had improved.

However, this was at a time when protectionism and sovereignty was respected, at least in regards to trade, and democracy was allowed, if on a limited level, in this country. However, you cannot say the same of China, where the ONLY union allowed is the government run one, and even though its a Communist controlled country, I don't think they have their workers best interests at heart.

India is a little more complicated, thankfully, they are a democracy, and, unlike what many think, they haven't adopted free trade completely wholesale. They were careful to free up the state run economy, however, even with that, there are problems, the rich-poor gap is increasing, wages are becoming stagnant, and working conditions are poor for too many workers.

Even then, Free Trade can become a hindrance to the improvement of working conditions. When nations like Mexico, who was under corrupt one-party rule at the time, sign treaties like NAFTA, which actually allow corporations to PREVENT countries from protecting their workers, what can the workers do?

What are nations like Mexico, or Guatemala supposed to do in situations where, due to treaty obligations, they CAN'T do shit to improve working conditions?