The Classical Argument for Free International Trade
It is interesting that Mises, in Human Action, does not systematically present the case for free trade. Rather, he criticizes the opponents of free trade. His criticism consists in identifying their narrow economic interests in opposing free trade. Most notably, existing producers, who have adjusted to a preexisting tariff system, are most opposed to the elimination of tariffs. Mises employs a non-Marxist class analysis to analyze the support for and opposition to free trade. Murray Rothbard also employs non-Marxist class analysis in his analysis of political economy issues.