In my turn towards protectionism and economic nationalism I've been reading how "free-trade" agreements as forced onto poor countries by rich countries through the stipulations that come with aid and loans is crippling the economies of those poor countries.
I don't believe that that is an unintended consequence. It's being done on purpose.
I believe the same thing about this environmental stuff. It's not about saving the planet. It's about saving the bottom line. Insist these poor countries invest in this alternative energy, low-carbon footprint crap and they'll never have the energy base to grow industry, or electrify their country and so forth. And thus will never compete with the rich countries in manufacturing.
So the Paris Accords and other eco-agreements are not about the rich countries doing anything. They're about making sure the poorer countries CAN'T do anything. And that's why the rich countries don't bother with actually following along with the agreement.
