In a globalizing world should we believe in walls or bridges, an economic and sensitive political topic

An essay written and intended for the brilliant civil engineering mind by: Erin Brennan, owner of www.TransAct-q.com

"Walls or Bridges an Economic and Sensitive Political Topic"

In a globalizing world should we believe in walls or bridges, a timely topic that is and has throughout history torn America and the world apart?

I spent a good portion of my life as an accountant. When I tell people this they assume I do taxes and frown just a little at the thought. In truth many accountants end up being managers and CEOs of organizations. Accounting is the language of business and efficiency. From the start of my career I always worked with others to remove barriers to efficiency. Always promoting the universal gain efficiency brings to an organization. So when I consider walls or bridges I already have a learned intellectual bias.

If history is our judge then shouldn't it be our guide? Consider past wars which started as smaller regional conflicts. Combined the upper estimates of casualties from World War I and World War II are over 100 million. These numbers don’t properly communicate the pain and suffering because we humans are incapable of imagining suffering of this magnitude. Both of these conflicts were in many ways the same conflict. One led to the other both out of a few ignorant leaders and others who followed rather than thoroughly considering the question at hand.

So let’s honestly consider walls or bridges!

Please consider the European Union. The European Union is a bridge economically connecting Europe creating a shared interest. Ask yourself today what is the probability World War III would start in a similar way as these past two devastating wars? You might as well ask for the probability of a US state attacking another. The thought is now ludicrous because our economies and our lives are connected. Now let’s extrapolate this thinking forward to today technology has shrunken the world even further. Globalization decreases the probability of world conflict through shared interest. Isolationism increases the likelihood of conflict.

That’s one point for bridges and not walls.

Now let’s look at trade. I challenge you to find an economist that believes that mutually beneficial trade is not mutually beneficial. Trade must be agreed upon by both parties or it does not happen. Restricting trade may at first glance seem an easy tax to levy it could appear free of cost to some. I would argue a tariff is the most destructive tax that can be placed. A tariff is a disincentive to shared interest which promotes peace through common ground. The result of tariffs: Increased need for military spending which should be decreasing dramatically through globalization and increased probability of unimaginable suffering resulting from war. This is precisely the type of procedural inefficiency I was paid to remove during my career as an Accountant.

That’s two points for bridges and not walls.

What justification do we have for walls over bridges?

First protection based mostly on a universal yet irrational fear of a changing demographic and of others that are different. As previously argued the best lasting protection against those that are strangers is connection and shared interest. Shared interest is the best protection from harm. One of the principal reasons I started Transact-q www.TransAct-q.com is I know if I can add value to the power generation and power delivery industry and selectively bring this value to a company I can make money. It's the safest decision I ever made.

Second a belief and desire for entitlement. There are studies that show satisfaction of smaller raises received which were greater than other associates are valued more than larger raises that are less than other associates. Although individuals do value superiority even if compensation is lower, the true value is nonexistent. This is consistent human flawed thinking. You might also try to argue you can limit competition to your benefit. In a globalized world one country’s attempt at limiting competition even as large as the US has little long-term effect.

Humanity has consistently made the same errors throughout history. We make these mistakes despite religious doctrine, philosophers, and a historical guide. These three all caution us against the path we are taking and highlight the opportunities we are overlooking! I can figuratively see these philosophers and the guidance of history pointing down the path towards the potential universal gain of globalized efficiency and against the irrational path of isolationism and fear.

Because I respect the intellect of engineers and am disheartened by the direction our country is heading I present this document. I honestly and respectfully hope you will come to the same conclusion. I also hope the timeliness of this essay draws attention to a new company. www.TransAct-q.com is a national and international business brokerage business development firm. 

At TransAct-q, we believe in using business acquisitions, business development, discreet business sales strategies and our massive social network to bringing national and international clients together. We hope to connect the world through business and shared interest and therefore create a more peaceful world!

Thank you!

www.TransAct-q.com

Assumptions & Final Equation

T = True protection value in dollar terms of wall

W = Government waste in building a wall

C = Cost to build wall

G = Gained through mutually beneficial trade

I = The inconceivable human misery of World War I and World War II (100 million dead)

S1 = Walls decreased shared interest through separation and isolation increasing the probability of world conflict

S2 = Bridges increased shared interest through connection and globalization decreasing the probability of world conflict

P = Perceived Entitlement Value > 0 

E = Entitlement true value=0

Equation: Wall Value = T-W-C-G < Bridges Value = ((S2-S1) * I)

www.TransAct-q.com

TransAct-q, is using business acquisitions, business development, discreet business sales strategies and their massive social network to bringing national and international clients together. Connecting the world through business and shared interest “Promoting peace!” www.TransAct-q.com

Erin J. Brennan is the owner and founder of www.TransAct-q.com and him a power generation and transmission business brokerage and business development firm. TransAct-q operates in the engineering consulting and construction field with a more centralized focus within the power generation and transmission field. Through business acquisitions, business development and discreet business sales strategies, they can grow your bottom line.