I think it romanticizes free trade agreements before the problems with them became readily apparent. Sure it benefits the people who like to travel, meet people from all walks and trade a surplus from one locale as a luxury or novelty in another.
However the cultural exchange implied hasn't happened. Due to the magnitude of US media and the proliferation of US consumer goods in factories worldwide, the cultural exports have only gone one way. It's the recipe for US hegemony, but it hasn't necessarily benefited the American people.
I think it romanticizes free trade agreements before the problems with them became readily apparent. Sure it benefits the people who like to travel, meet people from all walks and trade a surplus from one locale as a luxury or novelty in another.
However the cultural exchange implied hasn't happened. Due to the magnitude of US media and the proliferation of US consumer goods in factories worldwide, the cultural exports have only gone one way. It's the recipe for US hegemony, but it hasn't necessarily benefited the American people.