Cost of Economic Freedom

To me, economic freedom means open markets and a nation’s choice in participating in trade. As illustrated by Rivoli, in the case of China, the beginning of their open market policy came at a cost to the human rights of the citizens of China. In her speech, Rivoli spoke of the high demand that we as United States citizens have for cheap goods, specifically cotton garments. We are oblivious to what is done to other human beings in order to get our T-shirts at the price that we want. In order to come close to meeting our demand, China must produce garments at a low cost of production. Labor costs must be low. In the past, the United States was able to stay out of the labor market in the production of, unfortunately through slavery and at the cost of immigrants. This has now changed because of the advancement of technology and equipment. China does not use slaves or immigrants, but what they do take advantage of is the Hukou, which is a system of house registration. Individuals of rural hukous are move to the urban hukous to work in the textile industries, but cannot bring their familes. These individuals, “floaters” are also paid less than individuals from urban hukous. These are migrant workers. There is much wrong to these migrant workers. They are taken advantage because they are in need of the work, the docile work. Not only are the working conditions and environment bad, but they do not benefit from government assistance as urban hukous do. There is worry that the current economic crisis will bring harm to these individuals. This economic crisis may “amplify existing human violations”. (China: Economic Crisis Increases Risks for Migrant Workers, http://www.webnewswire.com/node/44860 ).
These hukous cause other problems as well. There are individuals, from rural hukous, who have gotten a higher education and desire to put their education to use. These individuals are qualified to hold higher jobs than in textile factories. In the past, there have been a large number of restrictions on members of rural hukous. It was very difficult and expensive for an individual gain access to reside in the larger cities. These individuals seek employment in the cities and cannot do so unless they reside there. Presently, there is a call for reform of the Hukou, allowing college graduates to easily move to the cities (Time is Right for “Hukou” Reform, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/17/content_10835973.htm ). I just find both of these articles very interesting, and the hukou very interesting. They seem like a clear violation of natural human rights and I believe there are many individuals in the U.S. who are oblivious to these sorts of injustices.