The opposing tendencies of concentration and spread are of little consequence in the liberal model of political economy. - Robert Gilpin

Japanese refer to Europe as a "museum" and America as a "farm."

The dreams of "leaving it up to the market" or of returning to a politically neutral gold standard cannot succeed because the nature of the monetary system has a profound impact on the interests of powerful groups and states. Affected groups and states will always try to intervene in the operation of the system to make it serve their interests.

Many critics see international trade as a form of cultural imperialism that must be strictly controlled.