Lesson Plan: Richard Cobden

In this lesson, students will learn about the positive and negative effects of free trade, as well as the 19th century British politician and businessman who helped transform Britain into a free-trading nation.

Sean Kinnard — Aug 30, 2022

You can find a PDF of this lesson plan here.

Featured article: Heroes of Progress, Pt. 9: Richard Cobden by Alexander C. R. Hammond

Warm-up

Have you ever heard of Richard Cobden? Probably not. Watch this short video about him from HumanProgress.org.

In partners, in small groups, or as a whole class, answer these questions:

What was the prevailing economic system that Cobden was advocating against?
Which powerful groups in Great Britain do you think were opposed to repealing the Corn Laws? Why do you think these groups were opposed to revoking them?
What parallels do you see between the Corn Laws and tariffs on imported products today?

How much do you know about free trade? Why do most economists and policymakers think free trade is such a good thing? What are some of the downsides of free trade? Watch this video and then answer the following questions.

How is free trade an extension of a free-market economy?
Think about the many ways that free trade benefits consumers, companies, and the economies of entire countries. Complete the chart below.

Aspect of free trade	How does this aspect of free trade *benefit* consumers, companies, and whole economies?
Comparative advantage
Specialization
Efficiency
Economies of scale
Competition

Now reflect on how free trade harms consumers, companies, and the economies of entire countries. Complete the chart below.

Aspect of free trade	How does this aspect of free trade *harm* consumers, companies, and whole economies?
Dependency
Overspecialization
Dumping
Race to the bottom
Competition

Questions for reading, writing, and discussion

Read the article, then answer the following questions:

Think about context. What was going on in Britain in the early 19th century that allowed Richard Cobden to become rich in such a short time?
Why is it significant that Cobden ended up in Manchester after he had made his fortune?
What happened in 1840–1842 that convinced many people that the Corn Laws should be thrown out?
Which socioeconomic group benefited the most from the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846?
What were the short- and long-term historical effects of the free trade agreement that Cobden negotiated with France?

Extension Activity/Homework

Take a Stand on Free Trade

First, read this 2016 article from Harvard Business Review about the history of free trade in the United States.

Then, imagine that you are running for senator of your state. As senator, you will be responsible for signing off on any trade treaty negotiated by the president. Your state has a large population and a diverse economy partly based on trade with other countries.

As senator, what will be your position on free trade? Do you think the benefits outweigh the costs? Why or why not?

Write a short essay for the voters of your state explaining your position on free trade. This essay will be published on the op-ed page of the most-read newspaper in your state. Remember that your opponent will refute your position, so include counterarguments and explain why they are wrong.

Analyze a Data Set and Graph

Visual literacy is the ability to create meaning from images. You will practice this skill by analyzing a data set about Trade and Globalization on the website Our World in Data. First, go to the page on Trade and Globalization. Choose one data set you are interested in and look at its accompanying image (e.g., graph, map, or table).

After examining the image and reading its description, answer the following questions:

What information is being presented in the data set and graphic?
What are the patterns of trendlines over time?
What historical developments impacted this data? For example, on the data set showing European exports, there is a sharp dip in 1940–1945 due to World War II.
How is this information important to our understanding of global trade?
Why did you choose to analyze this particular information set?

Fierce Biotech | Science & Technology

FDA Clears Minimally Invasive Brain-Computer Interface Implant

Apr 18, 2025

“Precision Neuroscience has obtained an FDA clearance for a crucial piece of its plans for a full brain-computer interface system, starting with its minimally invasive cortical electrode array. The company described it as the first regulatory green light for a developer of wireless mind-reading tech.

The agency cleared Precision’s Layer 7 interface as a temporary implant for use up to 30 days. Built on a thin, flexible film, the device and its 1,024 electrodes can be slotted through a sub-millimeter incision and placed nearly anywhere on the surface of the brain in a reversible procedure. It is capable of recording information as well as stimulating neural activity, and multiple implants have been used in a single patient.

The company said the go-ahead from the FDA will allow it to begin offering the device for medical applications such as brain mapping during open surgery, as it continues to develop its computer-controlling platform.”

From Fierce Biotech.

Reason | Poverty Rates

Javier Milei’s Free Market Reforms Are Starting To Pay Off

Apr 4, 2025

“Argentina’s poverty rate fell sharply in the second half of 2024, according to official data released this week, marking a major milestone for President Javier Milei’s sweeping economic reforms.

According to the country’s official statistics agency, the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC), the poverty rate fell to 38.1 percent between July 2024 and December 2024—down nearly 15 percentage points from the first half of the year. Household poverty also declined by 13.9 percentage points, hitting 28.6 percent. And extreme poverty was cut by more than half, falling from 18.1 percent to 8.2 percent.

It’s a major turnaround from the beginning of Milei’s presidency. When he took office in December 2023, he inherited a poverty rate of 41.7 percent, which quickly surged to 53 percent as his administration launched a ‘shock therapy’ program to end Argentina’s economic misery.

One of the biggest drivers behind the poverty decline is the sharp drop in inflation. Annual inflation, which reached 276.2 percent a year ago—one of the highest in the world—dropped to 66.9 percent last month. Monthly inflation has also dropped, from 25.5 percent in December to just 2.4 percent in February.”

From Reason.

Healio | Noncommunicable Disease

FDA Approves First New Antibiotic for Uncomplicated UTIs in Decades

Apr 3, 2025

“The FDA approved gepotidacin for the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs in women and adolescent girls aged 12 years or older, GSK announced.

It is the first new antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs (uUTIs) in nearly 30 years, according to GSK.

The decision to approve gepotidacin, which will be marketed as Blujepa, was supported by positive phase 3 data from the EAGLE-2 and EAGLE-3 trials, which demonstrated the antibiotic’s noninferiority to standard-of-care treatment nitrofurantoin.

Data from the EAGLE-2 trial showed treatment success in 50.6% of participants vs. 47% in patients treated with nitrofurantoin, with an adjusted difference in success of 4.3 percentage points.”

From Healio.

Financial Post | Energy Production

World Bank May Drop Ban on Funding Nuclear Power

Mar 31, 2025

“The head of the World Bank said he asked the lender’s board to reverse its long-standing policy against funding nuclear power projects, saying the technology offers a green option for poor countries.

‘The good news is the board has come together and said they’re willing to discuss’ the change, World Bank President Ajay Banga said Thursday at an event in Washington, adding that he expects the move to be included in a broader energy policy proposal expected in June 2026.”

From Financial Post.