Article: Bastiat's famous Candlestick makers' Petition

1. What or who is the competitor that the candlestick makers are complaining about? How does it affect the candlestick makers' business?

2. The petitioners suggest that, if their industry is encouraged, others will be, too. What is the basis for this logic?

How do the petitioners defend themselves against the main objections to their case?

3. This satirical petition was originally from 1845, meant to mock the French legislature's trade policy of the time. Give some examples of how this same essay could mock current (or at least recent) trade policy.

4. What did you learn from reading this?