“WhomadeyourT-shirt?”AGeoetownUniversitystudentraisedthatquestion.PietraRivoliaprofessorofbusinesswantedtofintheanswer.AfewweekslatersheboughtaT-shirtandbegantofollowitspathfromTexascottonformtoChinesefactorytocharitybin(慈善捐赠箱).TheresultisaninterestingnewbookTheTra’sofaT-shirtintheGlobalEconomy(经济).
FollowingaT-shirtaroundtheworldinawaytomakeherpointmoreinterestingbutitalsofreesRivolifromtheusualargumentsovergobaltrade.ShegoeswherevertheT-shirtgoesandtherearesurprisesaroundeverycorner.InChinaRivolishowswhyaclothingfactoryevenwithitspoorconditionsmeansasteptowardabettereforthepeoplewhoworkthere.Inthecolorfulused-clothingmarketsofTanzaniasherealizesth“itisonlyinthisfinalstageoflifethattheT-shirtwillmeetarealmarket”wherethepriceofashirtchangesbythehourandisdifferentbyitssizeandevencolor.Rivoli’sbookisfullofmemablepeopleandsceneslikethenoisethebadairandthe“muddy-sweetsmell(泥土香味)ofthecotton.”Shesays“HereinthefactoryShanghaismellslikeShallowaterTexas.”
Rivoliisatherbestwhenmakingthosesortsofunexpectedconnections.Sheevenfindsonebetweenthefreetradersandthosewhoareagainstglobalization.Thechancesopenedupbytradearevastshearguesbutfreemarketsneedthecorrectingforceofpoliticstokeepthemincheck.Trueeconomicprogressneedsthemboth.
(1)
A.
Sheusedtoworkonacottonfarm.
B.
Shewroteabookaboutworldtrade.
C.
Shewantstogiveupherteachingjob.
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