Semi-Daily Agreement

Brad DeLong also finds the simmering protectionism among IT workers interesting: link.

I agree with Brad that, at least in part, this is a reflection of the quintissential (and predictable) rise in protectionist sentiment during economic downturns. The new thing about it this time is the population that’s feeling those anti-trade urges — college educated, relatively wealthy, and often politically active. If my bearish feelings about the economy over the next 1-3 years are correct (see post below), this could become dangerous; angry and protectionist internet denizens are likely to be a more powerful political force than laid-off textile workers in North Carolina.