Publisher's Synopsis
Originally published in 1895. Introduction: The discussion of international trade has always excited much interest, and must, for a long time, still command the attention of all thoughtful citizens. A great variety of arguments has been presented to the public and many off them are already fully discussed. Yet there seems to be a place and an opportunity at the present time for a new discussion of this important problem upon a more fundamental basis than is usually found in former treatises. We do not now need new facts so much as a discussion of the relation of these facts to one another, and the bearing of all this class of facts upon economic doctrine. Above all, we need a discussion on a purely economic basis.