Q. Neoclassical and Classical trade theory makes the case that free trade can bring a country to an optimum and economically efficient use of its resources; and therefore is an optimal trade-policy, if the purpose is maximizing long term economic growth. There are those who argue that the experience of the Asian Miracle countries, such as Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore prove this argument in the real world. Explain. There are others who argue that the experience of these countries can't be used to verify or support the argument above. Explain.
Answer: Both arguments may perhaps indeed be made. These countries performed in fact are likely to promote exports in a consistent set of policies. Though they tended to do this via conscious National industrial-policy example South Korea using "the Japanese system" and thus with the possible exception of Hong Kong don't provide a good test-tube for the long run effects of a free-trade stance.