(one must put aside all concerns regarding current trade agreements and treaties to consider the following. one should not hesitate in such an intellectual exercise. what is simply is because it is, not necessarily because it must be.)
Should we make it our national duty to use economic power to force social changes in other countries?
Of course the danger is going too far, and humans almost always, perhaps always, eventually go too far when given the opportunity.
But let's argue in favor of the approach. Let's say that we decide we will not do business with any country that mandates that women wear those full body things in public, or where they can not drive, or where they can not vote.
ie. should we just buy these rights for those women?
What unintended consequences should we be worried about assuming we were successful in the effort? Perhaps the culture isn't ready for such a development? Perhaps there would be pushback? Perhaps violence would result?
How utopian and idealistic is the concept? Is there ANY way to go about such an effort productively and successfully without disastrous uc's (unintended consequences)?
Is it hypocritical of us, based on our history? Sure. You got it. Doesn't seem particularly important in any applicable sense, but if you need to get that on the record, consider it done.
Might France and England have been able to end American slavery earlier through purely economic pressure?
We are talking purely NON-AGGRESSIVE measures now. We are not talking ships surrounding the country, preventing them from coming or going. We are talking a choice, for all involved, as to how they want to behave.
Considering such things makes me feel like a kid again, which makes me both nervous and deeply skeptical.
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