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01 / 05
Lesson Plan: Richard Cobden

Blog Post | Trade

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 —

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 tradeHow 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 tradeHow 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?

S&P Global | Energy & Natural Resources

US DOE Finalizes Rules to Speed Transmission Permitting

“Under the program, the DOE will coordinate efforts across eight other agencies to prepare a single environmental review document for transmission developers seeking federal approvals. The program also establishes a two-year timeline for the permitting process.

‘The CITAP program gives transmission developers a new option for a more efficient review process, a major step to provide increased confidence for the sector to invest in new transmission lines,’ the DOE said in a fact sheet.

A second final rule creates a categorical exclusion — the simplest form of review under the National Environmental Policy Act — for transmission projects that use existing rights of way, such as reconductoring projects, as well as solar and energy storage projects on already disturbed lands.”

From S&P Global.

Washington Post | Health & Medical Care

FDA Authorizes AI-Driven Test to Predict Sepsis in Hospitals

“Bobby Reddy Jr. roamed a hospital as he built his start-up, observing how patient care began with a diagnosis and followed a set protocol. The electrical engineer thought he knew a better way: an artificial intelligence tool that would individualize treatment.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration has greenlighted such a test developed by Reddy’s company, Chicago-based Prenosis, to predict the risk of sepsis — a complex condition that contributes to at least 350,000 deaths a year in the United States. It is the first algorithmic, AI-driven diagnostic tool for sepsis to receive the FDA’s go-ahead.”

From Washington Post.

BBC | Conservation & Biodiversity

How AI is being used to prevent illegal fishing

“Global Fishing Watch was co-founded by Google, marine conservation body Oceana, and environmental group SkyTruth. The latter studies satellite images to spot environmental damage.

To try to better monitor and quantify the problem of overfishing, Global Fishing Watch is now using increasingly sophisticated AI software, and satellite imagery, to globally map the movements of more than 65,000 commercial fishing vessels, both those with – and without – AIS.

The AI analyses millions of gigabytes of satellite imagery to detect vessels and offshore infrastructure. It then looks at publicly accessible data from ships’ AIS signals, and combines this with radar and optical imagery to identify vessels that fail to broadcast their positions.”

From BBC.