Daily Archives: October 11, 2012

Federalist No. 11

In Federalist No. 11, Hamilton returns to the helm in addressing the people of the State of New York in the Independent on the utility of the Union in respect to commercial relations and a navy. Starting with this essay, we start to move away from generic advantages of a republic over a democracy and a Union over a confederacy to a specific set of advantages, of relevance to the people, possessed by a republic Union.

Even in 1787, global trade was critical to economic growth. (In fact, in 1817, Congress did away with all internal taxes and relied solely on tariffs on imported goods to provide sufficient funds for running the government. The first income tax was not enacted until 1862 to support the Civil War. Before this, taxes were limited to a few commodities, starting with sugar in 1764 and stamps in 1765.) In the 1600s and 1700s, European countries captured profits of 200% to 300% by way of long-distance trade with the Americas and the east. In fact, at one point in time, the British East India Company was an imperial power in its own right, with its own military! Thus, commercial relations would be critical to the rise, and acceptance, of America.

Hamilton starts off by noting that there are appearances to authorize a supposition that the adventurous spirit, which distinguishes the commercial character of America, has already excited uneasy sensations in several of the maritime powers of Europe. They seem to be apprehensive of our too great interference in that carrying trade. There is thus reason to believe that some countries may favour the policy of fostering divisions among us, and of depriving us, as far as possible, of an ACTIVE COMMERCE as this would prevent our interference in their
navigation
, [prevent our interference in their] monopolizing the profits of our trade, and clip the wings by which we might soar to a dangerous greatness.

If we continue united, we may counteract a policy so unfriendly to our prosperity in a variety of ways. By prohibitory regulations, extending … throughout the States, we may oblige foreign countries to bid against each other, for the privileges of our markets. In addition, a further resource for influencing the conduct of European nations toward us, in this respect, would arise from the establishment of a federal navy. There can be no doubt that the continuance of the Union … would … create a navy which, if it could not vie with those of the great maritime powers, would at least be of respectable weight. This would create, since just a few ships sent to reinforce either side in a third-party maritime conflict, would be sufficient to decide the fate of a campaign and this creates a situation so favourable would enable us to bargain with great advantage for commercial privileges. Thus, by a steady adherence to the Union we may … become the arbiter of Europe in America. It is arguable that under a vigorous national government, the natural strength and resources of the country, directed to a common interest, would baffle all the combinations of European jealousy to restrain our growth.

In addition, an unrestrained intercourse between the States themselves will advance the trade of each by an interchange of their respective productions … and the veins of commerce in every part will be replenished. As a result, the aggregate balance of the commerce of the United States would bid fair to be much more favourable than that of the thirteen States without union. And, then, the thirteen States, bound together in a strict and indissoluble Union, concurrent in erecting one great American system will be superior to the control of all transatlantic force or influence, and able to dictate the terms of the connection between the old and the new world!

 

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Supply Chain Predictions are Becoming More Obvious by the Day …

but supply chains are not always predictable. So the question is, when are we going to see a completely non-obvious supply chain prediction that, in fact, is going to be reality in a few short years.

Or have we reached a point where supply chain technologies, methodologies, and development chonologies are completley predictable? Everytime I see a list of predictions these days, they are either obvious, generic, or, in the case of this recent article over on EyeForTransport on “The top 10 … or make that the top 12 thoughts for supply chain in 2012”, an updated list of supply management best-practices if you want to be considered a leader instead of a loser.

Don’t get me wrong — the article linked above is one of the best lists of the top 12 things you should be doing now that I’ve seen in a while, but I want to see someone take a step back, look way forward, predict where supply chain will be, and then come out and give what looks like a prediction out of left-field on what we have to do to get there. Of course, the risk of doing this is that you’re a futurist, and some of your predictions will be wrong (and might get you temporarily labelled as a crackerjack), but if even one is right, and spectacularly right, people will forget the mistakes and pronounce you as a visionary when your longer term prediction comes true.

So, with 2013 just around the seasonal corner, does anyone want to stand up, predict major unexpected changes in the supply chain in the next 5, 15, and 50 years, and roll the bones?